M. L. Tux Tuxhorn a Northbay businessman and entrepreneur, will spearhead the second annual "entrepreneur boot camp" sponsored by the Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics in 2003.
Known as the Entrepreneurial Excellence Course, the program is scheduled sometime in May.
The program is designed to assist entrepreneurs realize their dreams of profitability, growth and expansion, says Tuxhorn, who has developed nearly 1000 residential units and formed more than 20 separate business ventures.
"The hurdles and obstacles of managing and growing a business can be daunting, however with the help of the experienced entrepreneurs this task can be simplified," he says.
The program will bring together venture capitalists, investors, accountant, attorney, bankers and experienced entrepreneurs in a 3-day program that allows those who attend a chance to focus seriously on the challenges of their business operation.
The intensive course specifically addresses issues such as obtaining funds for expansion, preparing a comprehensive business plan, assembling a first class team, understanding the competition, identifying changing market conditions, re-energizing a stagnant business and managing during rapid growth period.
The program is underwritten by Exchange Bank, National Bank of the Redwoods, Moss Adams CPA's, Pisenti and Brinker CPA's, Press Democrat, North Bay Business Journal, and the North Bay Angels.
For further information, contact Tux Tuxhorn, (707) 569-0300.
Sonoma State University's American Language Institute (SSALI) is hosting a new nine-week course on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) which will open doors for people who want to teach English while traveling the world.
The class is taught by the School for International Training (SIT), which has been offering TESOL degrees for over 30 years. The course runs from Feb. 8 to Apr. 5. Sessions are held during evenings and Saturdays on the Rohnert Park campus. Cost is $2,200. Upon completion of the course, students become alumni of SIT with full access to its worldwide job database.
An informational meeting on the program is set for Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. in Stevenson Hall 3046.
Prospective students include people who have retired from the workforce or others who are looking for a change in their lives and want to see the world.
"The course is also especially attractive to graduating students who would like to travel but do not have the money for it," says Helen Kallenbach, the director of SSALI.
SSALI has also received inquiries from members of the community who are interested in being trained to teach English to immigrants. This non-credit TESOL program offers a base for those who want to develop on-site English classes for local companies, Kallenbach says.
"The hands-on course with practical training is perfectly suited for people teaching in small companies,"
For more information and to obtain an application, contact Helen Kallenbach at (707) 664-2742 or helen.kallenbach@sonoma.edu.
A modest shade-house on the north edge of campus is home to an array of native plant seedlings that were tapped by Friends of Copeland Creek for use in restoration efforts along the creek recently.
The plants, from oaks to buckeyes to California fescue, were grown from seeds collected by students in a native plant propagation class taught by Karen Tillinghast, director of the SSU native plant garden, and Robin Burton, an agro-ecology instructor with Environmental Studies and Planning.
There are future plans for other projects with the Sonoma County Water Agency who funded the class with a donation of $8,288.
Staff of the water agency, who attended the dedication of the shade house on Dec. 12 on the campus, are looking forward to using the student-grown seedlings in their own county-wide restoration efforts in the southern Russian River watershed. The course is offered every fall.
CAPTION: Karen Tillinghast, director of native plant garden at SSU, discusses propagation techniques with students at the campus shade garden for seedlings. A course to teach such techniques was funded by a grant from the Sonoma County Water Agency.
As a result of $125 million in cuts this year, the California State University Board of Trustees voted yesterday to increase undergraduate student fees by $72 per semester to maintain access and quality at its 23 campuses.
The fee increase, approved by a 13-3 vote, goes into effect beginning in January 2003 with the spring semester. Graduate student fees will increase by $114 per semester. A supplemental statement will be sent to those students who have already paid their fees for the spring 2003 semester.
Currently, SSU full-time undergraduate students pay an annual State University Fee of $1,428, the lowest in the country, plus an additional $798 in SSU-specific fees (Associated Students fee, Consolidated Service fee, Facilities fee, IRA fee, Recreation Center fee, Student Health fee and Student Union fee). With Monday's action, SSU's total undergraduate annual fees go from $2,226 to $2370 annually. The graduate fee goes from $2,304 to $2,532 annually which includes the SSU-specific fees.
"These are difficult economic times for the citizens of California at every level. The CSU Board of Trustees made the difficult decision to raise student fees, which they did with regret. The next couple of years will require much of us in regard to compromises, but Sonoma State and the rest of the CSU campuses will continue to give our students what they need to progress toward graduation," said Ruben Arminana, SSU President.
The fee increase will generate $30 million for the CSU, but trustee policy mandates that one-third of the fee increase, $10 million, go immediately for financial aid to assist students. All of the 100,000+ CSU students who receive State University Grants will receive funds to fully offset the increases, and an additional 30,000+ CSU students will receive increases in their Cal Grant funds to offset the fee increases.
The CSU Board of Trustees acted in the face of a $59.6 million mid-year cut by the governor, which is on top of a $43 million cut and $22.8 million in unfunded costs the system experienced earlier this year, an amount equal to the budget of a campus the size of Sonoma State University. There are more than 8,000 unfunded students at the CSU this year. In total, the CSU will have to cut $125 million from its $2.68 billion budget.
CSU resident fees had not increased since 1994/95, and in fact undergraduate fees were reduced by 5% in 1998/99 and another 5% in 1999/00. This is the first time since 1982/83 that a mid-year increase has occurred.
At the end of the semester in Jann Nunn's intermediate and advanced sculpture class, the final step was to put the work in a public space on the SSU campus.
Last week, students hurrying to their finals began to see some unusual looking figures around the university-- from a homeless man on the Commons, to a man in prayer by the butterfly garden, to a concrete peace goddess by the Toast snack bar.
It was all part of the final step in a process for the art students to understand the realities of public sculpture-making where proposal writing, making a scale model and seeking approval for the siting of the work are as much a part of the process as creating the actual piece.
Sculpture students went through these hurdles this semester as they designed, and then set up, their pieces for display.
Then a final hurdle showed up for extra credit — the harsh winds of a wet winter storm made its way to SSU for an added dose of reality.
Stephanie Paul,
Desperate Prayer
A human scale figure sited in the Butterfly Garden (north of parking lot G) made of cob and other natural materials.
Anneliese Vobis, Reflection
A copper pipe sculpture in the style of a folded book reveals the artist’s personal associations with the form of a lantern. Sited near the pond behind the art office.
Kara Cross, Ladder
A painted red steel ladder that twists and gyrates up the hill in front of the Student Union Building.
Joey Castor, Self Reflection
A life size sculpture of a "homeless" person resting against a tree with their belongings. The hooded face is mirrored to remind us that any one of us could be in a homeless situation at any time in our lives. Sited north of Salazar Hall.
David Groode, Up in Arms
12 life-size painted figures on wood panels, 6 foot each, erected at various locations throughout campus.
Karen Rose,
The Opposite of War is Love
This sculpture is conceived as a response to the possible war against Iraq. Sited north of "Toast" snack bar.
Jennifer Richards,
Fallen Soldier
Olive drab canvas stretched over a geometric steel armature the repeats the form of a body in repose.Sited south of the art building on the lawn to the east of Carson Hall.
Melissa Coelho,
Elaboration on an Umbrella
What an umbrella would look like if it were blown up with air and cut open and arranged into ways that make it impractical for use. Sited at the edge of the large pond across the path from the Alumni Grove
Photos by Paiville Tarvainen
Some fifty-six Sonoma State University students are studying abroad this academic year at universities in Italy, Austrailia, France, Denmark and Chile, to name a few.
They are part of the California State University system's International Program that was created to help students develop inter-cultural communication skills and international understanding.
Students earn resident academic credit on their CSU campuses while they pursue full-time study at a host university or a special study abroad.
Sonoma State students studying abroad for the 2002-03 academic year are:
Ashley N. Simons, University of Florence, Italy, American Multicultural St. - Benicia, Calif.
Robert I. Helliesen, University of Florence, Italy, Studio Art - Berkeley, Calif.
Michael J. Crickmore, University of Florence, Italy, Studio Art - Berkeley, Calif.
Nikki O. Bloom, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Communication Studies - Bodega,
Calif. Marie J. Bichsel, Denmark's International Study, Liberal Studies - Castro Valley, Calif.
Rachel M. Schultz, University of Granada, Spain, Spanish/Psychology - Castro Valley, Calif.
Jacob Freedman, University of Granada, Spain, Spanish - Corte Madera, Calif.
Kenneth D. Pascal, University of Florence, Italy, Business Administration - Danville, Calif.
Diana L. Drips, University of Florence, Italy, Sociology - Davis, Calif.
Flora R. Mendoza, Massey University, New Zealand, Geography - Fort Jones, Calif.
Megan E. Larsen, Uppsala University, Sweden, Comm/Liberal Studies - Foster City, Calif.
Danielle M. Valente, University of Madrid, Spain, Spanish - Fremont, Calif.
Gennelle F. Bailey, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, Australia, Art - Garden Valley, Calif.
Jason F. Brown, University of Bristol, UK, History/Pol Sci - Garden Valley, Calif.
Gabrielle E. Bright, University of Paris, France, French - Healdsburg, Calif.
Alexa G. Peake, Denmark's International Study, Human Dev., Long Beach, Calif.
Christina J. Macey, University of Aix-Marseille, France, Business - Loyalton, Calif. Davin C.
Cardenas, Instituto Techologico de Monterrey, Liberal Studies - Mission Viejo, Calif.
Liduvina K. Carreon, University of Madrid, Spain, Liberal Studies - Napa, Calif.
Kristi J. Nelson, University of Florence, Italy, Art Studio - Napa, Calif.
Laurel F. Quane, Kingston University, UK, Business - New Almaden, Calif.
Julia A. Lees-Smith, University of Hull, UK, Communication Studies - Newbury Park, Calif.
Alexis T. Mays, Uppsala University, Sweden, Communication Studies - Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Bryan C. Maddan, University of Aix-Marseille, France, Communication Studies - Palm Desert, Calif.
Jamie L. Cardinal, University of Granada, Spain, Nursing/Spanish - Paso Robles, Calif.
Nikki K. Weeks, Instituto Techologico de Monterrey, Sociology - Paso Robles, Calif.
Carey A. Holschlag, Denmark's International Study, Liberal Studies - Poway, Calif.
Philip L. Jordan, Kingston University, UK, Music - Redwood City, Calif.
Masaaki Kasahara, University of Tubingen, Germany, Music - Rohnert Park, Calif.
Jesus M. Granados, University of Granada, Spain, Pre-Business - Rowland Heights, Calif.
Catherine L. Kleckner University of Florence, Italy, Art History - Sacramento, Calif.
Jodi E. Macdonald, University of Wales, Swansea, UK, Philosophy - Sacramento, Calif.
Laura P. Duffy, University of Madrid, Spain, International Business - San Anselmo, Calif.
Joseph P. Rende, University of Hull, UK, Theatre Arts - San Carlos, Calif.
Michelle H. Swift, University of Wales, Swansea, UK, Liberal Studies - San Diego, Calif.
Terika C. Tischer, University of Granada, Spain, Spanish/Global Studies - San Francisco, Calif.
Joshua S. Black, University of Florence, Italy, Art Studio - San Gabriel, Calif.
Chantal L. Erpenbach, University of Wales, Swansea, UK, Psychology - San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Michele C. Werner, University of Paris, France, French, - San Rafael, Calif.
Mark S. Graziano, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Spanish/Global Studies - San Ramon, Calif.
Sigrid E. Sutter, University of Aix-Marseille, France,Theatre Arts/French - Santa Rosa, Calif.
Hope A. Washam, Instituto Techologico de Monterrey, Global Studies - Santa Rosa, Calif.
Janet P. LeCates, Massey University, New Zealand, Human Dev., - Sebastopol, Calif.
Elizabeth M. Schwimmer, University of Aix-Marseille, France, English - Sebastopol, Calif.
Mitchell P. Silverstein, University of Paris, France, Liberal Studies - Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Tammy R. Rivara University of Madrid, Spain, Spanish - Sonoma, Calif.
Cassandra L. Tobias, University of Aix-Marseille, France, Liberal Studies - Spring Valley, Calif.
Laura L. Herrell, University of Bristol, UK, Psychology - Stockton, Calif.
Katherine M. Mickelson, University of Granada, Spain, American Multicultural Studies - Truckee, Calif.
Jacki A. Miner, University of Granada, Spain, Spanish/Psychology - Vallejo, Calif.
Edward J. Ober, Denmark's International Study, Global Studies, Villa Park, Calif.
Kathleen A. Musich, University of Florence, Italy, Pol Sci - Virginia, MN
Jennifer E. Crane, University of Florence, Italy, Art History - Walnut Creek, Calif.
Amanda M. McDonald, University of Bristol, UK, Philosophy - Westlake Village, Calif.
Rosie Ochoa, University of Aix-Marseille, France, English - Woodland, Calif.
Meghan N. Ely, University of Wales, Swansea, UK, Communication Studies - Yountville, Calif.
Stephanie Paul,
Desperate Prayer
A human scale figure sited in the Butterfly Garden (north of parking lot G) made of cob and other natural materials.
Anneliese Vobis, Reflection
A copper pipe sculpture in the style of a folded book reveals the artist’s personal associations with the form of a lantern. Sited near the pond behind the art office.
Kara Cross, Ladder
A painted red steel ladder that twists and gyrates up the hill in front of the Student Union Building.
At the end of the semester in Jann Nunn's intermediate and advanced sculpture class, the final step was to put the work in a public space on the SSU campus.
Last week, students hurrying to their finals began to see some unusual looking figures around the university-- from a homeless man on the Commons, to a man in prayer by the butterfly garden, to a concrete peace goddess by the Toast snack bar.
It was all part of the final step in a process for the art students to understand the realities of public sculpture-making where proposal writing, making a scale model and seeking approval for the siting of the work are as much a part of the process as creating the actual piece.
Sculpture students went through these hurdles this semester as they designed, and then set up, their pieces for display.
Then a final hurdle showed up for extra credit — the harsh winds of a wet winter storm made its way to SSU for an added dose of reality.
Joey Castor, Self Reflection
A life size sculpture of a "homeless" person resting against a tree with their belongings. The hooded face is mirrored to remind us that any one of us could be in a homeless situation at any time in our lives. Sited north of Salazar Hall.
David Groode, Up in Arms
12 life-size painted figures on wood panels, 6 foot each, erected at various locations throughout campus.
Karen Rose,
The Opposite of War is Love
This sculpture is conceived as a response to the possible war against Iraq. Sited north of "Toast" snack bar.
Jennifer Richards,
Fallen Soldier
Olive drab canvas stretched over a geometric steel armature the repeats the form of a body in repose.Sited south of the art building on the lawn to the east of Carson Hall.
Melissa Coelho,
Elaboration on an Umbrella
What an umbrella would look like if it were blown up with air and cut open and arranged into ways that make it impractical for use. Sited at the edge of the large pond across the path from the Alumni Grove
Photos by Paiville Tarvainen
Alan Murray knows a thing or two about commitment and perseverance.
He met his wife Dorothy when they were in the second grade at Jefferson Elementary School in Bakersfield, California. And as a matter of fact, both Alan and Dorothy?s fathers met in the first grade at the same school a generation earlier.
This sense of commitment and perseverance has led Alan to be an extremely valuable asset to Sonoma State University and to the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) as its new president.
NACAS is the largest auxiliary services support organization that provides information and education to professionals in higher education in the country.
"I knew when I met little Dorothy in the second grade that there was a special bond between us. Of course, it took us a dozen more years to figure that out," says Alan with a smile. And Alan?s good judgment (as in the case of Dorothy), and his strong work ethic has led him up the ranks and to his current position as Senior Director, Entrepreneurial Services at Sonoma State University.
As the head of the campus auxiliary services, Alan and his managers provide the University a myriad of services including ? but certainly not limited to ? dining services, retail sales, postal services, off-set printing services, on and off-campus housing services, vending service, concessions, catering, and quick copy services.
These services are provided through a not-for-profit auxiliary connected to SSU, which manages and assumes the risk, called Sonoma State Enterprises, Inc. (SSE). The corporation was formed in 1961 to promote and furnish facilities for the educational development and academic service of the University. The Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the faculty, staff, students and the community. Alan serves as Vice President/Chief Operating Officer on this Board.
There are three essential purposes of SSE:
1. to operate effective and efficient businesses that function in accordance with the law and which provide quality services and products at a fair price
2. to produce revenue that is dedicated to serve the University
3. to determine how the excess revenue will best serve the University
Alan?s job at Sonoma State University gives him plenty of opportunity for a diverse and exciting day. "As the Senior Director, Entrepreneurial Services, I have responsibility for a $20 million budget, with 63 full-time employees and more than 300 student assistants (we are the largest employer of students at the University). The position provides a tremendous amount of variety. It may require switching from an issue regarding the quality of the food, to an accounts payable issue, to a design question for a new enterprise. You just never know where it will come from next!"
Alan credits his family with understanding his very busy job, which means he may come home certain days with little energy to spare. His wife Dorothy is very supportive and often attends NACAS meetings with him and encourages his participation in the events and activities of the Association.
"I know how much Alan enjoys his job and working with the people in NACAS. The professionalism of the members we?ve met has been evident, and their warmth has gone far beyond what you?d expect. So many people at Sonoma State and NACAS have been understanding of the medical problems our daughter has had. Alan just couldn?t be involved with a more open and supportive group ? and he knows that so well," says Dorothy.
Cheryl, Alan and Dorothy?s 33 year old daughter, was diagnosed with Leukemia five years ago. She then suffered a stroke, had a bone marrow transplant at Stanford, and has been recovering since then. Alan is very proud of Cheryl?s strength of will, which he saw on a daily basis when he took a nine month leave of absence in 1998 so he and Dorothy could help Cheryl return to good health. And Alan credits his colleagues at Sonoma State University and the NACAS group with helping him keep focused and maintain an optimistic outlook.
"People from my university and from NACAS, some I didn?t even know very well, sent me good wishes all through Cheryl?s ordeal. It was very heartwarming to know there were so many people who cared about our family."
The Murray family knows about doing things together. Each and every member graduated from one of the California State University system schools. Their son Derek, now 31, graduated in 1995 from California State University, Sacramento with a B.S. in Accounting. He is now the Controller at Western Air Supply in Sacramento. Dorothy is a Sonoma State alum, having graduated in 1980 with a degree in Business Administration. She has worked at Santa Rosa Junior College as an accounting technician since 1984.
Cheryl completed her B.A. in Business from Sonoma State University in 1993 and was employed as an Accounting Manager for a high tech firm in Santa Clara County (Silicon Valley) prior to her illness. And Alan himself graduated from the same universities his family attended: he earned his B.S. in Personnel Management from Sacramento State University in 1970 and ten years later his M.A. in Management from Sonoma State University.
Alan?s degree in management and personnel has paid off well for those who work for and with him at Sonoma State University. He is well known across the campus for being easy to work with and always finding a positive perspective to problems, say the managers who work for him.
"I have unwavering confidence in my management staff. My style is to choose them well, then empower them to manage their areas of responsibility. I hold them accountable for their actions. If they say they are going to do something, then I know they will do it and do it well." It is important to Alan to have two-way communications with his managers. They have regular individual meetings and also group meetings. The group meetings are quite useful to bounce ideas, thoughts, and concerns off each other and do problem solving.
"Alan is the kind of manager one always hopes to have. He trusts his people with the tasks they are given and he always asks for our opinions and our thoughts, and ? this is the big one ? once we give them, he is open to making changes or taking some risks. This is one of the best teams I?ve been involved with," says Walt Leonard, Director of General Services, "and that?s a credit to how Alan does business."
Giving recognition for accomplishments is important to Alan. He encourages his managers to also give recognition to their staff. This might take the form of a special recognition dinner, verbal praise, tokens of appreciation, public acknowledgement or any other creative way the managers utilize. And it may cost some dollars, but Alan feels that will come back to the University through loyalty and expertise.
"If staff members know how much they are appreciated, and how much they contribute to the campus, they feel more motivated to do well. We are lucky at Sonoma to have very skilled employees, from the students who work for us to the managers who are in charge," says Alan.
Throughout the year, many very large special events take place at Sonoma State University such as Commencement, the summer Green Music Festival, and student Move-In Day. Taking part in these events is very important to Alan. He feels it gives him an opportunity to celebrate student accomplishments and to share with parents the excitement and apprehension of their students as they are going away from home or beginning their lives after graduation.
"On Move-In Day, for example, I?ve seen very young, very frightened first time freshmen take that step in leaving mom and dad to become the adult they are destined to be. I?ll see those same students over the 4 or 5 years they are here blossom and grow and become leaders. It?s that type of experience that makes what we all do at a college or university worth every difficult moment we may experience on a day-to-day basis," says Alan.
While it may be difficult for most students to appreciate the bookstore or a food venue as adding to their college experience, Alan and his managers know how important those services can be. Without an appropriate campus life which includes the areas of housing, food, and getting that letter from home through mail services, the lives of students at Sonoma State wouldn?t be nearly as enjoyable.
Those areas that Alan manages are:
Retail Services
A $4.5 million dollar operation, the bookstore carries textbooks, clothing, electronics, computers, office supplies, art supplies, gifts and cards, and many other college-related items.
Housing Services
SSU currently houses 1,100 students in traditional suites (no kitchens) and 900 students in apartments (with kitchens). Phase I of the University?s housing expansion program is in progress. It will provide another 650 bed spaces, apartment style (4 bedroom, 4 bathroom). It is expected that about half of them will be ready for the Fall 2003 semester and the remainder available for Fall 2004.
In addition, Phase II of the expansion program will add another 650 bed spaces with an expected opening in the academic year 2005/06. Once completed, the University will house more than 40 percent of the students on campus. The goal, which is in sight, is to be able to guarantee housing for the entire freshman and sophomore classes.
Dining Services
This includes all dining venues on campus - Residential Dining, University Club (faculty & staff), University Commons (grill, salads, wraps), Pub (made to order deli), Toast (a grab-and-go concession), Charlie Brown?s Caf? (coffee, lunch items, salads, smoothies), Ameci?s Pizza and Pasta, University Catering and concessions. There are operations open 7 days a week with service starting at 7 a.m. and ending at midnight.
The catering operation ranges from coffee service, to a BBQ for 3,000, to a 5-course high-end dinner. Providing service to these events relies heavily on student employment. The University is very proud of the students? contributions.
General Services
General Services omprises mail services, receiving, US Contract Postal outlet, a reprographics center, graphic design, quick copy center and the copier program. Over the years, the design staff in Reprographics has won numerous awards, including a recent first place in the brochure category at the International IPMA annual competition.
Alan thoroughly enjoys all aspects of his job at Sonoma, but remembers fondly his time spent at the California State University systemwide office in the early 1970s as a Personnel Analyst. There, he analyzed classification actions and conducted occupational studies for all two dozen campuses. He was a member of a small group of professional staff who were engaged in a program of reviewing and evaluating the personnel management programs of each campus in the CSU system. "I enjoyed that type of work quite a bit.
What we did made a considerable difference to how people?s jobs were classified on the various campuses. But I think I like working more closely with people, on a more personal basis, one-on-one as I do now at Sonoma," he says.
Alan also spent two years in the State of Washington, at Central Washington State College, working on personnel management issues. His current managers benefit from Alan?s teaching experience as well. He holds a lifetime California State Teacher?s credential to teach business and economics at the junior college level and has also taught time management, personnel management and supervisory management.
Professionally, Alan is very active in NACAS. Prior to becoming President, he served as a Regional Director, President of the Western Region, and held a National Membership Committee assignment. In 1991, Alan served as the General Conference Chair of the National Association of Purchasing Management?s International meeting held in San Francisco and had been extensively involved with the Purchasing Management Association of Northern California.
In addition, he has been affiliated with the National Association of Educational Buyers, the Western Association of College and University Business Officers, and the Society for Human Resource Management.
On a personal note, Alan is very active in his church, recently finishing two terms as the congregation President, finds time for gardening, travel, and reading, but finds particular pleasure in any activity that includes his family.
Alan?s involvement with NACAS has spanned almost a decade where he has been called upon (and has himself called on others) for advice and information.
He?s looking forward to this next year as President of NACAS and has several goals in mind:
1. Development of a strategic plan for membership growth
2. Research the feasibility of creating an auxiliary services professional certification program
3. Establish a mechanism to strengthen and enhance the regional/national relationship
"My experience with the people of NACAS has shown me what an outstanding group of caring and talented people there are at the colleges and universities throughout the USA, Canada and abroad. I look forward to working with the Association and its members to promote these good people and their work," says Alan.
Paying attention to social development can be difficult in a country that is still trying to restore democracy, and improving education can be at the bottom of a list when a country is trying to get back on its feet.
Brazil?s educational system lacks trained teachers, effective administrative and funding policies, and even classrooms that are suitable for teaching.
Sonoma State University international business professor Robert Girling has been working in Brazil?s northeastern state of Bahia in order to help improve school leadership and administration since 1995 when he co-founded the Program in Participatory School Management (PGP).
The program is currently working with 80 schools with a combined student body of 40,000. The PGP offers training in for example leadership, team building, school finance, and evaluation.
The PGP brings university professors and graduate students together with state and municipal schools to train personnel and to identify schools? needs. Girling says that he is delighted for having been able to play a part in empowering people in Brazil to work on the program.
"The PGP has changed life opportunities for some people for 1,000 percent," Girling says of the participants in the country with some of the lowest levels of primary education in the hemisphere. "The PGP plays a big part in generating self-esteem among students."
The program has turned out to be a success in Bahia, even to the point that the local authorities have asked the PGP to train administrators in all of the state?s 200 schools.
Robert Girling has recently received a Fulbright grant and a Ford Foundation grant to continue the two programs he?s involved in: the PGP and an exchange program between Northern California teachers and teachers in Northeastern part of Brazil. The exchange program is intended to promote a better understanding of the cultural diversity in Brazil and offers an opportunity for teachers to travel between California and Brazil.
For more information, please contact Robert Girling at (707) 664-2228 or e-mail him at robert.girling@sonoma.edu
Sonoma State University students and local community members have the unique opportunity to visit Cuba or Brazil as part of a Summer 2003 tour program sponsored by the university and Global Exchange. An informational meeting and panel presentation about the two trips is scheduled from 5:15 to 7 p.m., on Dec. 6 in the Cooperage on the Rohnert Park campus. Applications for Cuba at a Crossroad and Brazil — World Social Forum will be made available at these events and in the InterCultural Center office in the Student Union thereafter.
Because the program varies according to the focus of each trip and the special interests of each participant, itineraries become available closer to actual date of departure.
Cuba at a Crossroad
As the only socialist country in the Western Hemisphere, Cuba faces a host of challenges at the beginning of the new millennium. With the foreseeable ending of the embargo approaching, this delegation will help participants gain a true understanding of the problems and different aspects Cuba is facing in this transition.
This program seeks to gain an overview of the current situation in Cuba through various aspects of the society: the economy, government, health care system, education systems and the religious as well as culture and religion. The delegation will meet with educators, health care workers, government representatives, students, artists and intellectuals.
This tour will include a trip to one of the following provinces: Santiago, Santa Clara, Pinar del Rio, Trinidad and Cienfuegos. Program highlights include travel and stay in the city of Havana that will consist of a bicycle tour of Habana Vieja (Old Havana) Revolution Square, a farmer's market and the Havana cemetery.
The cost of the tour is $1,600 for SSU students and $1,800 non-SSU students. A limited number of subsidized financial aid slots are available at rate of $800. Additional aid and scholarships are available by applying directly to Global Exchange. The tour fee includes roundtrip Airfare from Cancun to Havana, double room accommodations in a three star hotel, transportation within Cuba, breakfast and dinner, translation of all programs, a qualified trip leader guide and translator and a current events reader.
Brazil - World Social Forum
Brazil, like the rest of Latin America, has followed the "neo-liberal" economic model of development that involves privatizing state-owned factories, cutting social services, and opening the economy to foreign investment. The tour will explore the impacts of these economic policies before going to Porto Alegre for the World Social Forum.
The delegation will begin in Rio de Janeiro where participants will meet with representatives from diverse organizations. Participants will also meet with religious and community leaders, non-governmental civic organizations working within the favelas and women's organizations, struggling for economic justice, racial acceptance and social equity.
The cost of the tour is $1,600 for students and $1,800 for non-students. The tour fee includes, double room accommodations, transportation to and from all programmed activities, two meals per day, guides and translators, a qualified trip leader, donations and a reading materials.
How to Register
Application and a non-refundable deposit of $200 must be received two months before departure. A late fee of $50 will be applied to late applications. Payments by Mastercard or Visa are welcome. These trips will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences.
For further information, contact Darius Spearman, InterCultural Center, Sonoma State University, (707) 664-2710.
