*All lectures and events are free unless otherwise noted.
TRIO NAVARRO - SSU's trio in residence performs a concert as part of the Resident Artist Series. 4 p.m., Sunday, April 13. Ives 119. $15 general, $12 faculty/alumni/staff, $8 seniors/students, SSU students free. (707) 664-2791.
LIGO: LASERS, OPTICS, AND INTERFEROMETRY IN THE SEARCH FOR GRAVITATIONAL WAVES - Dr. Shailendhar Saraf discusses the technological challenges in the detection of gravitational waves with a terrestrial instrument and describe the laser technology and interferometric techniques used in LIGO. 4-5:15 p.m., April 14, Darwin 103. http://phys astro.sonoma.edu/wpd/.
PAUL LOEB - Paul Loeb, author of the underground bestsellers Soul of a Citizen and The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, explores what keeps people going despite all the obstacles. 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 14, Cooperage. No charge. Space is limited so arrive early. Associated Students Productions and Student Union, www.sonoma.edu/as/asp or (707) 664-2382.
MICROBIAL METABOLISM - Dr. Andrea K. White, Department of Biological Sciences, CSU Chico, discusses "Microbial Metabolism of Reduced Phosphorus Compounds." Biology Colloquium. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 15. Darwin 103, (707) 664-2189.
"REFLECTIONS ON THE JUVENILE PAROLE ENTERPRISE" - Josh Meisel, Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, presents a lecture describing how greater numbers of youthful offenders are being confined to secure facilities for longer periods of time and the impact of their future re-offending behavior being compromised in the absence of effective community transition and aftercare programming. Social Science Brown Bag Series. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 15. Stevenson 2011.
GENOCIDE OF THE TUTSIS IN RWANDA - Mathilde Mukatabana of Consumes Community College and President of FORA: Friends of Rwanda Association presents a lecture as part of the 25th Annual Holocaust Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 15. Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-4296.
ANNABETH ROSEN - Rosen received her MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art and since has taught at UC Davis and has become known for her skills with ceramics. Visiting Artist Lecture Series. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 15. Art 102, (707) 664-3042.
ANDREW SEAN GREER, TALES FROM A QUEER NOVELIST - The author of three books of fiction, Greer speaks about the craft of fiction writing and the ways in which queerness informs his processes and content. Queer Studies Lecture Series. Noon-12:50 p.m., Tuesday, April 15. Carson 68. (707) 664-2574.
CYCLOTOMIC POLYNOMIALS AND THE LENGTH OF THE REPEATED PORTION OF DECIMAL FRACTIONS - Dean Gooch, Mathematics Department, Santa Rosa Junior College, lectures on a simple method for determining the lengths of the repeated portions of fractions using cyclotomic polynomials. Math Colloquium. 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 16. Darwin 103, (707) 664-2368.
SACRED ECOLOGY - SPIRITUAL ENCOUNTERS WITH THE WILDERNESS - Dr. James Preston explores the wilderness theme in a variety of religions and cultures throughout the world and especially to different forms of mysticism in nature. The lecture traces the wilderness theme in American history and literature as well as examines personal relationships with nature. What is the relationship between the wilderness within and the ecological disaster that is emerging in the contemporary world? ASP Religion and Spirituality Lecture Series. Free. 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, Student Union Multi Purpose Room. (707) 664-2382.
THE CLOTHESLINE PROJECT- A T-shirt exhibit presented by Student Advocates For Education (SAFE) as a part of Sexual Assualt Awareness Month. Information about Denim Day will also be given at the table. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17. Stevenson Quad. (707) 664-2217.
SIMULATING PLANETARY ENVIRONMENTS - Complex game worlds require complex dynamic simulation. This talk by Jason Shankel of Maxis describes methods for simulating atmospheric weather, ocean currents and the spread of life in a game-quality environment. Computer Science Colloquium. Noon, Thursday, April 17. Darwin 102, (707) 664-2667.
"KAISER WILLIE: W.E.B. DUBOIS AND GERMANY" - Bob Coleman Senghor (English) presents a lecture examining W.E.B Du Bois's relationship to German culture, history and politics from his early encounters in the 1880's with German romantic writers as a high student until his death in 1963. Arts and Humanities Research and Creative Works Forum. Noon, Thursday, April 17. Schulz 3001. Suzanne Toczyski, (707) 664-4177.
WEST SIDE STORY - West Side Story slams with the most dynamic music-story-dance ever created for the stage. Presented by Quantum Opera Theatre. 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 16 (preview). 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17 (Opening/Faculty-Staff Night). Evert B. Person Theatre. $15 general, $12 faculty/alumni/staff, $8 seniors/students, SSU students free. (707) 664-2353.
DAVID BERKMAN TRIO - Jazz Guest Artist Series. Workshop. 3 p.m., Concert 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17. Warren Auditorium. $12 general, $10 faculty/alumni/staff, $8 seniors/students, SSU students free. (707) 664-2791.
SSU LANGUAGE FESTIVAL: COMPETITIONS, CABARET, INT'L DISCO! -Competitions for high school students in the morning. SSU students perform in a multi-lingual afternoon cabaret. At the end, an amazing international disco with music from around the world. 10 a.m., Saturday, April 18. Modern Languages & Literatures, (707) 664-2351.
STUART GREEN, CLASSICAL GUITARIST - Classical Guitar Guest Artist Series. 8 p.m., Friday, April 18. Warren Auditorium. $12 general, $10 faculty/alumni/staff, $8 seniors/students, SSU students free. (707)-664-2791.
ROMEO AND JULIET BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE - This guy falls for this girl, and she falls hard for him. There's trouble between their cliques, but they get it on anyway. Sex, street fights, secret potions and a not-too-happy ending. William Shakespeare's timeless classic has it all. SSU Acting Program. 8 p.m., Friday, April 18. 2 p.m., Saturday, April 19. Evert B. Person Theatre. $15 general. $12 faculty/alumni/staff, $8 seniors/students, SSU students free. (707) 664-2353.
SCENE IT MOVIE - "The Kite Runner". Based on the best -selling book by Khaled Hosseini. 9 p.m., Saturday, April 19. Cooperage.
GALLERIES
GRAFICA CONTEMPORANEA DE MEXICO - Contemporary prints from Mexico are featured with the work of thirteen emerging, mid-career, and established printmakers -artists whose work is as contemporary as it is diverse. Prints include linocuts, lithographs, aquatints, serigraphs, etchings, and even screen prints on skateboards. Curated by Carla Stone, who organized the exhibition as the cumulative project for her master's degree in Museum Studies at SFSU. Public reception, 4-6 p.m, Thursday, April 24. Exhibit runs April 7-June 30. University Library Art Gallery. Admission is free. Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; weekends, noon-5 p.m. Karen Brodsky, (707) 664-4240.
FILMS
THE INNOCENTS - Henry James' novel "The Turn of the Screw" is masterfully translated to the screen, with Deborah Kerr at her best as the English governess who witnesses two young charges being possessed by specters which may or may not be real. (1961, 99 mins). Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m., Thursday, April 17. Darwin 103. General admission is $5. $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens, $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students are admitted for free. (707) 664-2606.
PASSION AND POWER: THE TECHNOLOGY OF ORGASM - This intriguing film looks at the evolution of women's sexual satisfaction through one simple invention-the vibrator. The informative yet playful documentary expertly takes us through the vibrator's secret history, (2007, 74 min.). 7 p.m., Friday, April 18. Warren Auditorium. General admission is $5. $4.50 for non SSU students and senior citizens, $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students are admitted for free. (707) 664-2606.
*All lectures and events are free unless otherwise noted.
THE LIFEBOX- Dr. Rudy Rucker, author, mathematician, programmer and Life Hacker, discusses his radical views on the future relationship between humanity and technology. Rucker is one of the original Cyberpunk authors and has written numerous fiction and nonfiction works detailing the deep philosophical foundations of mathematics, artificial life, artificial intelligence, future technology and the meaning of life. Philosophy Club Lecture Series. 5 p.m., Monday, April 7. University Art Gallery. (707) 664-2277.
GLOBAL POPULATION DECLINES - Dr. Carlos Davidson, Environmental Studies Program, San Francisco State, explores "Why are Global Population Declines Concentrated in Mountains?" Biology Colloquium. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 8. Darwin 103, (707)664-2189.
LESBIANS ON ECSTASY, RE-CONSTITUTING LESBIAN CONCENTRATE - Montreal-based Lesbians on Ecstasy are making electronic music of the lesbian variety. In 2007 the Lesbians On Ecstasy released the album We Know You Know using Lesbian Concentrate as inspiration for exploring notions of second-wave feminism and women's music. Queer Studies Lecture Series. Noon-12:50 p.m.,Tuesday, April 8. Carson 68. (707) 664-2574.
PERSPECTIVES ON THE HOLOCAUST IN THE 21ST CENTURY - Dr. Michael Berenbaum, Director of the Sigi Ziering Institute, University of Judaism, is the featured speaker for the Robert L. Harris Memorial Lecture. 25th Annual Holocaust Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 8. Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-4296.
EASY-TO-EXPLAIN BUT HARD-TO-SOLVE PROBLEMS IN POLYHEDRAL GEOMETRY - Jesus DeLoera, Mathematics Dept. U.C. Davis, will convince the audience that there is life after calculus and that even the most seasoned of
mathematicians can't solve easy-to-understand questions about polyhedral geometry. Math Colloquium. 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 9. Darwin 103, (707) 664-2368.
THE BEST OF SAN FRANCISCO COMEDY COMPETITION - An encore presentation of the BEST OF SF Comedy Competition featuring Paul Ogata and other past competitors and finalists. Associated Students Productions. 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 9. Cooperage. $10 general admission. Free for SSU students, staff and faculty.
ROMEO AND JULIET BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE - This guy falls for this girl, and she falls hard for him. There's trouble between their cliques, but they get it on anyway. It gets worse. Sex, street fights, secret potions and a not-too-happy ending. William Shakespeare's timeless classic has it all. 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 9 (preview). 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 10 (Opening/Faculty-Staff Night). Evert B. Person Theatre. $15 general, $12 faculty/alumni/staff, $8 seniors/students, SSU students free. (707) 664-2353.
USERS AND BATTERIES: INTERACTIONS AND ADAPTIVE ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN MOBILE SYSTEMS - A talk by Sami Rollins, University of San Francisco, discussing how battery lifetime has become one of the top usability concerns of mobile systems. Computer Science Colloquium. Noon, Thursday, April 10. Darwin 102, (707) 664-2667.
MUSIC OF THE SPHERE - Faculty Recital Series presents a concert of Hindustani classical vocal music with tambura, tabla and harmonium. 8 p.m., Saturday, April 12. Ives 119. $15 general, $12 faculty/alumni/staff, $8 seniors/students. SSU students free. (707)-664-2791.
INTIMACIES AND OUTBURSTS - Sonoma County Choral Society presents a program of the journey through the ups and downs of love, featuring works by Purcell, Rossini, Mozart, Faure, Brahms and Bernstein. Center of Performing Arts. 8 p.m., Saturday, April 12. Ives 119. $15 general; $12 faculty/alumni/staff; $8 seniors/students; SSU students free. (707) 664-2791.
SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING - As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Student Advocates For Education (SAFE) is providing a free self defense course. Those interested in participating must sign up at the Student Union prior to the event, as space is limited. 11 a.m., Saturday, April 12. Elite Academy. (707) 664-2217.
GALLERIES
GRAFICA CONTEMPORANEA DE MEXICO - Contemporary prints from Mexico are featured with the work of thirteen emerging, mid-career, and established printmakers -artists whose work is as contemporary as it is diverse. Prints include linocuts, lithographs, aquatints, serigraphs, etchings, and even screen prints on skateboards. Curated by Carla Stone, who organized the exhibition as the cumulative project for her master's degree in Museum Studies at SFSU. Public reception, 4-6 p.m, Thursday, April 24. Exhibit runs April 7-June 30. University Library Art Gallery. Admission is free. Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; weekends, noon-5 p.m. Karen Brodsky, (707) 664-4240.
CHRISTINE COBOUGH - The exhibit centers on bringing awareness toward violence against women while at the same time advocating a stop to it. Moving pictures are paired with poems from survivors of assaults and Cobough has donated a book to the event detailing a woman's story about surviving incest. Exhibit runs April 1- April 15. Center for Culture and Gender Studies. Admission is free.
FILMS
ECLIPSE - One of Michelangelo Antonioni's greatest films, deals with personal relationships in modern society, and the nature of solitude as man's accustomed state. (1962, 125 mins., in Italian w/English subtitles). Sonoma Film Institute. 4 p.m., Sunday, April 6. Darwin 103. General admission is $5; $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens; $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students are admitted for free. (707) 664-2606.
THE MAGIC FLUTE - Ingmar Bergman's adaptation of the Mozart opera. (1975, 134 min., in Swedish w/English subtitles). Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m., Thursday, April 10. Darwin 103 and 7 p.m., Friday, April 11. Warren Auditorium. General admission is $5. $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens, $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students are admitted for free. (707) 664-2606.
One of the world's leading climate scientists, Professor Inez Fung of UC Berkeley, will speak at Sonoma State University Monday, April 7.
Her lecture, "The Warming Will Accelerate the Warming," will be at 4 p.m. in Darwin 103. Part of the "What Physicists Do" series, it is free and open to the public.
Fung, co-director of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, recipient of the prestigious Roger Revelle Medal of the American Geophysical Union, and listed among the "Scientific American 50" for 2005. She also received the World Technology Network Award for the Environment in 2006.
Fung has been making sophisticated models of the earth’s atmosphere for more than twenty years, computing the variations in carbon dioxide and dust and how they interact with the climate. Her research contributed to the work of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, which shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
For further information follow links from http://phys-astro.sonoma.edu/.
*All lectures and events are free unless otherwise noted.
DEVELOPMENTAL DEFENSES - Dr. Amro Hamdoun, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, discusses how embryos succeed and why they fail. Biology Colloquium. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 1. Darwin 103, (707) 664-2189.
JEFF KELLEY - An art critic since 1977, Jeff Kelley has contributed his catalogue essays to the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Mudima Foundation, the Los Angeles Times, and many more publications. Visiting Artist Lecture Series. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 1. Art 102, (707) 664-3042.
HOW TOYS TEACH RACISM - Geri Olson, Psychology, presents a lecture from her psychological research on dolls. School of Social Science Brown Bag Series. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 1. Stevenson 2011.
AN UNCOMMON FRIENDSHIP - Bernie Rosner and Fritz Tubach discuss their Holocaust memoir, "An Uncommon Friendship: From Opposite Sides of the Holocaust" as part of the 25th Annual Holocaust and Genocide Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 1. Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-4296.
THE PETERSEN GRAPH: THE TALE OF A FAMOUS GRAPH - Izabela Kanaana, Mathematics department, presents a lecture on the Petersen Graph, the origins of the graph and its most interesting properties. Math Colloquium. 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 2. Darwin 103, (707) 664-2368.
ARTS & HUMANITIES FORUM: ROMEO AND JULIET/WEST SIDE STORY - Lynne Morrow (Music Theater) and Paul Draper (Theatre Arts) discuss their rehearsals and soon-to-open productions that play from April 10-May 11 in the Evert B. Person Theatre of "Romeo & Juliet and West Side Story Repertory at SSU." Arts and Humanities Forum. A scene from each of the shows will be presented. Noon, Thursday, April 3, Schulz 1121. Suzanne Toczyski, (707) 664-4177
THE WORKLOAD YOU HAVE AND THE SYSTEM YOU GET: THE IMPACT OF WORKLOAD CHARACTERIZATION IN COMPUTER SYSTEM DESIGN - This lecture outlines the tension between general purpose and specific processors, the rate of change of workloads in the market and gives examples of processor design failures. Computer Science Colloquium. Noon, Thursday, April 3. Darwin 102, (707) 664-2667.
BLUE NOTE TRIBUTE BAND - SSU jazz saxophonist Charlie McCarthy's all-star sextet presents classic charts for three horns from the 1960s golden age of the Blue Note recordings. Jazz Faculty Recital Series. 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 3. Warren Auditorium, $12 general, $10 faculty, alumni, staff, $8 seniors/students, SSU students free. (707)-664-2791.
PUBLIC VIEWING NIGHT - View Saturn, Leo Triplets, and Markarian's Chain at the SSU Observatory. 9 p.m., April 4. For details and map go to http://www.phys-astro.sonoma.edu/observatory/pvns08.html.
FACULTY COMPOSERS CONCERT - Faculty recital series features works by Mel Graves, Brian S. Wilson, William Johnson and Jeff Langley. Center for Performing Arts. 8 p.m., Saturday, April 5. Ives 119. $10 faculty, alumni, staff, $8 seniors/students, SSU students free. (707)-664-2791.
SEAWOLF DAY - The campus-wide Seawolf Day, aimed at introducing prospective Fall 2008 students and their family members to what SSU has to offer, begins with a welcome from President Ruben Arminana in the gymnasium, after which students and parents break out into various workshops. Several campus departments will be open for business. There will be tours of campus, the Recreation Center, the University Library and others. Campus fair takes place in the Salazar Quad from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. with representatives from campus departments, majors, and student organizations as well as student performances. 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5. Gina Geck, (707) 664-3035.
FILMS
ECLIPSE - One of Michelangelo Antonioni's greatest films, deals with personal relationships in modern society, and the nature of solitude as man's accustomed state. (1962, 125 mins., in Italian w/English subtitles). Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m., Thursday, April 3. Darwin 103; 7 p.m., Friday, April 4. Warren Auditorium. General admission $5. $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens, $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students admittedfree. (707) 664-2606.
SCENE IT BIG SCREEN MOVIE - "Charlie Wilson's War." Free. 9 p.m., Saturday, April 4. Cooperage. Sponsored by Residential Life.
A broad-based alliance of faculty, students, administration, unions and alumni meet on Thursday, March 20 in Evert B. Person Theatre from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Sonoma State University to discuss ways to combat proposed budget cuts and decreased funding to the campus.
The SSU summit meeting is part of a wider campaign to fight the budget cuts with all-campus meetings planned on each of the 23 California State University campuses during March. The meetings are sponsored by the California Faculty Association, the Cal State University Administration, California State Student Association, staff unions and other campus constituencies.
The budget proposed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in January reduces funding to the CSU by $386 million. This reduction includes $313 million in additional funding and $73 million to be made up by once again increasing student fees by 10%.
At a time when the economy is lagging, businesses are desperate for skilled workers, the State’s infrastructure needs massive improvements, and disadvantaged and middle-class students are finding it harder and harder to afford a college education, say organizers of the event.
"It is not too late to direct more funding to the CSU, but we need to work together to get our message heard by the Governor and legislature," says Andy Merrifield, Professor and President of the California Faculty Association, Sonoma Chapter.
For further information about the Summit and the CSU's efforts to increase funding for our students' education, go to http://www.sonoma.edu/uaffairs summit.
The media is invited to attend the campus meeting and interview members of the SSU community about their concerns and the future plans to fight the budget cuts.
For more information, please contact Susan Kashack, Assoc. Vice President of Communications and Marketing, susan.kashack@sonoma.edu, (707) 664-2122.
Yoga for computer injuries, the role of the Black Market, and free will in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien are some of the topics explored at the third annual Graduate Student Research Showcase next week at Sonoma State University. President Ruben Armiñana opens the three-hour event with welcoming remarks at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18 in the Cooperage.
This year's Showcases and poster sessions range from those exploring the critical role of informal economies like the Black Market and micro-lending, use of mind-body treatments to help combat post-traumatic stress disorder, to ways of fostering academic achievement and positive ethnic identity development in local high school students.
Other research looks into tailoring innovative yoga practices and ergonomics for computer users, helping school counselors support the siblings of children with autism, and examining the interplay of fate and free will in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien.
The showcase gives Master's students experience in presenting research in scholarly conference format and provides a forum in which newer graduate students can see what kind of work is required of Master’s degree candidates.
The large exhibit hall in the Cooperage will be filled with student poster and multi-media presentations, and food. Students giving formal papers will take up the two adjacent presentation rooms.
The Graduate Studies Subcommittee and the Division of Academic Affairs sponsor the showcase. For further information and a list of the full program of presentations, visit Graduate Showcase.
The visiting team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) arrives on campus Wednesday, March 12 for a three-day visit to the campus. During the visit, they will be meeting with various groups, committees and individuals in order to review SSU's compliance with the accreditation standards.
This is the Capacity and Preparatory Review Visit, which will be followed in October 2009 with an Educational Effectiveness Visit. To view the entire WASC Visit Itinerary and to review materials that have been prepared for the visit, please go to the SSU Portfolio at www.sonoma.edu/aa/portfolio.
Three open forums for interested faculty, staff and students have been scheduled:
PUBLIC FORUM FOR STUDENTS - Wednesday, March 12, 3-3:50 p.m., in the Multi-purpose Room of the Student Union. (Dr. Paul Gaston, Dr. Terry Wildman, and Dr. Cecile Lindsay will be joined by panelists from the ASI Senate)
PUBLIC FORUM FOR STAFF - Wednesday, March 12, 3-3:50 p.m., Schulz 3001. (Dr. Desdemona Cardoza, Dr. Lena Rodriguez, and Dr. Nalsey Tinberg)
PUBLIC FORUM FOR FACULTY - Wednesday, March 12, 4-4:50 p.m., Schulz 3001. (Dr. Paul Gaston, Dr. Terry Wildman, Dr. Cecile Lindsay, Dr. Desdemona Cardoza, Dr. Lena Rodriguez, and Dr. Nalsey Tinberg)
There will also be a reception for the WASC Visiting Team from 5-6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12 in the University Club. Interested faculty, students and staff are invited to attend. For further information, contact Elaine Sundberg, WASC Accreditation Liaison Officer, at 4-2215.
*All lectures and events are free unless otherwise noted.
STUDIES OF THE TERRESTRIAL UPPER ATMOSPHERE WITH ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENTS - Dr. Tom Slanger of SRI International describes how the study of sky spectra collected at major telescopes is leading to new insights into atomic and molecular processes and important upper atmospheric phenomena as diverse as atom recombination and space weather. What Physicists Do. 4 p.m., Monday, March 17, Darwin 103. http://phys-astro.sonoma.edu/wpd/
CECILIA CHUNG, UNITED ENDA - Deputy director of the Transgender Law Center, Cecilia Chung will speak on the recent struggle to prevent the Congressional Democratic leadership from excluding gender identity from workplace protection laws. Queer Studies Lecture Series. Noon-12:50 p.m., Tuesday, March 18. Carson 68, (707) 664-2574.
RACIAL HETEROSEXUAL FEMININE IDENTITIES IN A POST-CLOSETED SOCIETY - James Dean, Sociology, explores the social significance of race and gender in shaping the lives of heterosexual Black and White women. He maps a continuum of heterosexual feminine identity practices from emphasized femininity to female masculinity. Brown Bag Lecture Series. Noon - 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 18. Stevenson 2011. (707) 664-2561.
JEWISH WOMEN PARTISANS - Mitch Braff, Executive Director, Jewish Partisan Education Foundation presents a lecture in part of the 25th annual Halocaust Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 18. Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-4296.
STATISTICS IN ECOLOGY - Christopher N. Janousek, Department of Plant Pathology, UC Davis, discusses effective size statistics in Ecology. Biology Colloquium. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, March 18. Darwin 103, (707) 664-2189.
JOHN CASEY - With a BFA in painting from Massachusetts College of Art, Casey's drawings and sculptures have been exhibited at the DeCordova Museum of Lincoln, the de Young Museum in San Francisco and other Bay Area galleries. Visiting Artist Lecture Series. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, March 18. Art 102, (707) 664-3042.
"THE WHOLE TRUTH: NARRATIVE TRUTH IN AUTOBIOGRAPHY" - Dolores Bainter discusses challenges in writing her autobiography "Harbor Rat: Memories of a Long Island Childhood" for her thesis for a Masters in Creative Writing. Arts and Humanities Forum, 12:05 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, Schulz 3001. Suzanne Tocyscki, (707) 664-4177.
DOES GOD EXIST? - Dr. Eric Thompson puts the age-old debate in long-range historical context, outlines the issues, evidence and arguments involved and chooses sides. Thompson received his B.A. in religion and philosophy from Northwestern University and his Phd in the Hebrew Bible from UC Berkeley. He has given numerous lectures on the topics of evolution, comparative religions, and examinations of inter-religious conflicts in the modern world. Religion and Spirituality Lecture Series. 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 19. Student Union Multi Purpose Room. Free. (707) 664-2382.
SHALL WE DANCE? ITALY TOUR KICK-OFF CONCERT - Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Brian S. Wilson, Conductor. Center of Performing Arts. 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 19. Ives 119.
STUDENT PROJECTS - Bill Barnier, Departmernt of Mathematics, SSU, Amelia Beede, Karen Gladysz, Greg Morre, Y Vu, and Holly Wright present projects on planning a menu, trig function graphs, the game of War, finding the best size containers, and paying off loans. Math Colloquium. 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 19. Darwin 103, $12 General, $10 Faculty, Alumni, Staff, $8 Seniors/Students, SSU Students free. (707) 664-2368.
SECURITY RESEARCH AT SYMANTEC RESEARCH LABS - Darren Shou, Symantec, discusses how to guard against never before seen attacks, protect the contents of one's safe from those with the keys, and deal with zombies using only a keyboard. Computer Science Colloquium. Noon, Thursday, March 20, Darwin 102.(707) 664-2667.
POST-MODERN POTPOURRI - SSU Jazz Ensemble, Mel Graves, Director. Center of Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 20. Warren Auditorium,(707)-664-2791.
GALLERIES
"LIFE? OR THEATRE?" - German-Jewish artist Charlotte Salomon created an unusual autobiography through more than 1,300 paintings that were created within 18 months between 1940 and 1942 while she was hiding from the Nazis. An exhibit of her work is on display through March 26. University Library Art Gallery, (707) 664-2637.
FILMS
ALICE - Using the combined techniques of animation and live action Jan Svankmajer has taken the classic tale of childhood fantasies and added a new and fascinating dimension.Preceded by Ladislaw Starewicz' 1934 puppet animation film "The Mascot" (26 min.) Sonoma Film Institute. 4 p.m., Sunday, March 16. Warren Auditorium. General admission is $5.00. $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens, $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students admitted free. (707) 664-2606.
WILD STRAWBERRIES - Traveling to receive an honorary degree, a doctor is confronted with a series of haunting flashbacks and events that in a day's time reveals his very depths. Richly visual and startlingly dramatic. (1957, 90 min., in Swedish w/English subtitles) 7 p.m., Thursday, March 20. Darwin 103; 7 p.m., Friday, March 21. Warren Auditorium. General admission $5. $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens, $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students admitted free. (707) 664-2606.
The 2008 Faculty Exposition will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5 in the Commons. The Expo provides an opportunity for faculty to share the results of their research and scholarly activities with their colleagues,
staff and students, and with the community at large. This event is open to all.
The faculty and a brief summary of their recent work includes:
IMPORTANCE OF MARITAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MARITAL SATISFACTION: A COMPARISON OF ASIAN INDIANS IN ARRANGED MARRIAGES AND AMERICANS IN MARRIAGES OF CHOICE - Jayamala Madathil, Counseling - This study compared factors contributing to marital satisfaction and examined correlations between importance of these factors and level of satisfaction for 229 Asian Indians in arranged marriages living in India, 185 Asian Indians in arranged marriages living in the United States, and 173 American Individuals in marriages of choice. Results indicated significant
differences between the three groups for both importance and satisfaction. Implications for multicultural marriage counseling are discussed.
CONTESTED IDENTITIES: HOLOCAUST MEMOIRS OF HIDDEN CHILDREN - Barbara Lesch McCaffry, Hutchins School of Liberal Studies - There is an ever-deepening pool of memoirs being written by children who were hidden during the Holocaust - for many by passing as non-Jewish. This work attempts to explore many questions related to identity including: what does it mean to be safer being someone who you are not and how does one, after the war, reintegrate into one's original "identity" -- or can one? What are the gendered differences reflected in these experiences? are children credible witnesses or should their voices be discounted due to the age at which they had these experiences?
THE CONTRIBUTION OF DIFFERENT HABITAT TYPES TO REGIONAL LARVAL SUPPLY: IMPLICATIONS FOR MARINE RESERVES - Karina Nielsen, Megan E. Wood (SSU) and Megan J. Donahue (HSU), Biology - Global fisheries are in steep decline and species losses have led to negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. In response, marine reserves are being implemented to help safeguard ecosystem health and provide spillover of larvae, juveniles and adults into non-reserve areas. Consequently, the reproductive output of local species in potential reserve areas is an important consideration for reserve spatial planning. We are examining the associations among coastal features and habitat type on reproduction and recruitment of the keystone predator, Pisaster ochraceus, and its preferred prey, Mytilus californianus.
THE HISTORY OF METAPHORS OF NATURE IN SCIENCE AND LITERATURE - Stephen Norwick, Environmental Studies & Planning - This is a history of the metaphors of the whole of nature and their use in natural science. It is a contribution to the new field called "environmental history." Each chapter is a parallel history of one of the metaphors which represent the whole of nature such as Mother Nature, the celestial harmony, the great chain of being, and the book of nature, starting with Homer and the Hebrew scriptures.
HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE MEMORIAL SCULPTURE - Jann Nunn, Studio Art - Jann Nunn will present the scale model and a DVD about the Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Sculpture that she has designed and is fabricating for Sonoma State University. The Memorial Grove Sculpture consists of two 40' railroad tracks that converge at the base of a 10" tall internally illuminated glass tower. Rows of ivory colored bricks inscribed with the names of victims of genocides will be in the place of railroad ties. Anticipated completion date is fall 2008.
RECENT RESEARCH AT THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDIES CENTER - Adrian Praetzellis, Anthropological Studies Center - Since 1974 ASC has given hundreds of SSU students opportunities to participate in scholarly research that are unparalleled in the CSU - and to get paid or internship units while doing it. ASC staff members solicit grants and contracts in the fields of archaeology and historic preservation, and carry out the work with the aid of SSU students. This presentation focuses on student research that had its genesis in ASC projects.
ESTABLISHING A STATE OF THE ART MATERIALS SCIENCE RESEARCH FACILITY - Jeremy Qualls, Physics & Astronomy - In the field of material science new and exciting materials are discovered daily which display unusual
properties. These properties help to realize new frontiers of science as well as pave the way for future technology. The SSU department of Physics and Astronomy is currently developing a new state of the art research facility for this purpose. Qualls will outline many of the capabilities of the new lab as well as current and future research to be carried out.
TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT PHENOTYPIC VARIATION AMONG PHYTOPHTHORA RAMORUM ISOLATES FROM EASTERN SONOMA COUNTY - Nathan Rank, Michael Cohen, and Valerie Sherron, Biology (Additional authors: Brian Anacker, UC Davis; Ross Meentemeyer, Geography, University of No Carolina-Charlotte) - Growth rate and other phenotypic properties of plant pathogens in the laboratory can be useful to develop predictions about the rates of spread and disease consequences of those pathogens under natural conditions. The purpose of this study is to examine phenotypic variation in isolates of Phytophthora ramorum collected from a host plant, Umbellularia californica (California Bay Laurel).
PEN-BASED COMPUTING - Bala Ravikumar, Computer Science- A new milestone in pen-based computing is the introduction of Tablet PC's. We explore a number of uses of tablet PC's ranging from computer games to lecture presentation to recognition of shapes, letters by patterns by a computer.
HIGH POWER LASERS AND NONLINEAR OPTICS RESEARCH AT SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY - Shailendhar Saraf, Engineering Science -Dr. Shailendhar Saraf will showcase some of his research activities in high power laser development and quantum optics. He will show how laser slabs can be configured to maximize energy extraction and simultaneously lower the quantum noise penalty from amplification. He will also show the application of nonlinear optics in precision measurements below the quantum limit.
GLOBAL LINKS IN LANGUAGE & CULTURE: SWEDISH FACTORS IN THE EMERGENCE OF A NICARAGUAN DEAF COMMUNITY - Richard Senghas, Linguistics/Anthropology - Swedish factors have played key roles in the development of a Deaf community in Nicaragua. A new sign language emerged after 1977, when a special education program brought deaf students together in Barrio SanJudas, Managua. Based on fieldwork conducted in Stockholm, Sweden during a sabbatical during 2006-2007, this presentation offers evidence suggesting that significant political and sociocultural links exist between the Nicaraguan and Swedish Deaf communities, and are part of a larger set of connections involving these two countries.
EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY AT SSU - Heather Smith, Psychology - This April, psychology undergraduates and Smith will present the results from three separate research projects at the Western Psychological Association annual meeting. The first project summarizes the results from an experimental investigation of students' reactions to the unfair treatment of another student. The second project summarizes SSU sorority members' reactions to information about their sorority sisters' beliefs about appropriate drinking behavior and the third project summarizes the evaluations of older participants (average age=80) who read and evaluated a short description of a first visit to a doctor.
SURFACE EFFECTS OF MYOGLOBIN ADSORPTION TO FUSED - Nicole M. Litzie, Dr. Meng-Chih Su - This project seeks to characterize the surface adsorption of myoglobin, a protein whose molecular structure in solution has been well studied. Using the absorbance of the heme group as an optical probe, its absorbance activities on a fused silica glass surface will be compared to those of the protein in solution. This research has implications in the field of criminalistics for development of a novel or improved method for identification and analysis of forensic evidence.
EXPLORATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL MORAL AGENCY - John Sullins, Philosophy - Sullins explores the role artificial moral agents play in the field of technoethics. Technoethics is the study of ethics and morality using the tools and techniques of philosophy as it applies to science and technology. Artificial agents that are created or synthesized by technologies such as artificial life (ALife), artificial intelligence (AI), and in robotics present unique challenges to the traditional notion of moral agency and that any successful technoethics must seriously consider that these artificial agents may indeed be artificial moral agents (AMA), worthy of moral concern. Smith will offer some suggestions on the possible ethical concern that these agents should be given.
INPUT COMPLEXITY AND INFORMATION PROCESSING IN GSS-BASED DISCUSSION TASKS INVOLVING VIRTUAL WORK GROUPS: AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION - Janejira Sutanonpaiboon, Business Administration - With the globalization of business and an increasing dynamic nature of the business environment, electronic collaboration among the members of work groups to generate ideas, solve problems, and make decisions has become a necessity. A particular type of electronic collaboration is electronic brainstorming, which can be useful for group members engaged in idea generation. Input complexity can influence the level of information processing in electronic brainstorming, and hence affect the outcome of group work. In this research, we report the findings of a laboratory experiment that involved electronic brainstorming in a discussion task.
SURFING THE EVIDENCE AND MAKING IT REAL - Raye Lynn Thomas, Library; Deb Kindy, Jeanette Koshar, and Melissa Vandeveer, Nursing - A collaborative effort between Nursing faculty and a University librarian to develop a comprehensive, hands-on student orientation for finding best practice evidence in nursing; to generate student competency in, and motivate excitement about the research process.
CONSUMER BEHAVIORS OF ADOLESCENT HISPANICS: MARKETING AND BRANDING IMPLICATIONS - Ricardo Villarreal de Silva, Business Administration- The present study examines the roles of ethnic identity, familism, and gender in consumer behaviors of 254 Hispanic adolescents between the ages of 15 and 17. Factor analysis assessed the psychometric properties of Attitudinal Ethnic Identity (AEI), Pan-Hispanic Familism (PHF), and Preference for Branded Products (PBP) scales. Implications for marketing and branding are discussed.
AN INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENT FOR FNPS: RURAL AND COMMUNITY CLINIC MANAGEMENT (RCCM) CERTIFICATE/COURSEWORK - Mary Ellen Wilkosz APRN, BC FNP. PhD Student UCSF. Director of the RCCM Program and Wendy Smith APRN, BC FNP. DNS. Sonoma State University FNP Program Director - The poster presentation will present an overview and preliminary evaluation data of newly developed and implemented coursework at Sonoma State University that includes content in Systems and Organizational Integrity, Fiscal Stewardship/Budgeting and Personnel Management and that is applied in a final directed mentorship course. This coursework is designed to provide new and experienced FNPs with additional administrative tools to assure the best, most cost-effective primary care, is accessible to clients.
PUNISHMENT AND SOCIAL DEATH IN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA - Tryon Woods, Criminology and Criminal Justice - This project considers the centrality of the African diaspora for grasping the meaning of punishment in the modern world. He explores the connections between the global prison industrial complex (criminal justice and its moorings in the political, economic, and cultural realms) and the structural adjustment policies that have captured black communities and nation-states within the "social incarceration" of debt and dislocation.
PHOTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF IRON-ONLY HYDROGENASE MODEL COMPOUNDS - Carmen Works, Jessie McDonald, and Marci Peralto - FTIR studies of the photochemical reaction of Fe2(SCH2CH2CH2S)(CO)6 (1) in both acetonitrile and toluene are described. Photochemical and thermal reactivity was studied under air, nitrogen and CO, and results are consistent with the loss of CO from 1 upon photolysis and the generation of a solvento species in both coordinating and non-coordinating solvents.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES - Jingxian Wu, Engineering Science - This presentation gives an overview of the research and education activities in the area of wireless communications in the Engineering Science department. The research activities cover both theoretical analysis and practical implementation of wireless communications. New enabling technologies have been developed to improve the performance of wireless communications, and a wireless communication test bed is implemented to test the new technologies in practical wireless environment. The research results have been integrated in communication related courses in both undergraduate level and graduate level.
This event is sponsored by the Faculty Subcommittee on Sponsored Programs, the Professional Development Subcommittee, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, with support from the Office of the Provost.
For more information, contact Carol Hall
*All lecture and events are free unless otherwise noted.
THE ROLE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN CALIFORNIA'S EFFORTS TO CURB GLOBAL WARMING - Devra Wang of the Natural Resources Defense Council will describe California's policies to spur energy efficiency, and its key role in cutting global warming pollution. 4-5:15 p.m., Monday, March 10. Darwin 103. http://phys-astro.sonoma.edu/wpd/
LAWRENCE R. RINDER - In the earliest years of the post-millennium, Lawrence Rinder was probably the best-known curator in the United States. He was founding director of the California College of the Arts Wattis Institute for the Contemporary Arts in San Francisco and also served as a curator at the Whitney Museum. Visiting Artist Lecture Series. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, March 11. Art 102. (707) 664-3042.
VISUALIZING CULTURAL MEMORY: THE LEGACY OF CHARLOTTE SOLOMON - A lecture by Paula Birnbaum, Ph.D., University of San Francisco, on the legacy of Charlotte Salomon. 25th annual Holocaust and Genocide Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 11. Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-4296.
STORYTELLING, ACTIVISM AND MUSIC - Featured speaker Holly Near is a combination of entertainer, teacher and activist. For the past 40 years, Near has participated in many of North America's major social change movements and now uses her storytelling to remember the lessons with grace and humor. Queer Studies Lecture Series. Noon-12:50 p.m., Tuesday, March 11. Carson 68, (707) 664-2574.
POPULATION GENETICS MODEL FOR AUTISM - Joe Latulippe, Cal Poly, Pomona, answers questions about the prevalence of autism in today's society. This talk investigates a basic mathematical model for genetic evolution and more specifically how it may relate to autism. Math Colloquium. 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 12. Darwin 103, (707) 664-2368.
BUILDING SCALABLE INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURES FROM SCRATCH - Igor Sviridov, 23 and Me, describes approaches, tools and components accumulated after doing rapid deployment of scalable Internet infrastructures designed and built by a small team of generalists. Computer Science Colloquium. Noon, Thursday, March 13, Darwin 102. (707) 664-2667.
SCINTILLATING AND SUAVE - SSU Latin Jazz Ensemble, Bob Afifi, Director. Center of Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13. Warren Auditorium, (707)664-2791.
PROFESSOR STEVE BITTNER AND PROFESSOR CATHERINE NELSON - present "Who was Catherine III? Or How a Woman Outwitted Nikita Khrushchev," and "Sex, Race, and Rock & Roll: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and the 2008 Democratic Primaries," as part of the Women's History lunches. Noon - 1 p.m., Thursday, March 13. Salazar 2021.
LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE - The SSU Latin Jazz Ensemble with guest artist John Simon (piano) presents Contemporary and classic latin jazz compositions from South America, Cuba, the United States and Europe. Performers include Danny Kendrick, drums/percussion; Derick Kerby, guitar; Jeff Goodlund, sax; Jimmy Lehman, guitar; John Paul Norris, bass; Joshua Lippmann, guitar; Leah Woodard, vocals/percussion; Luke Silbey, guitar/percussion; Marc Ikeda, drums/percussion; Marc Rudlin, trombone; Max Taylor, percussion. 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13. Warren Auditorium. (707) 664-2325.
PUBLIC VIEWING NIGHT - View the Moon, Mars, and the Orion Nebula at the SSU Observatory. 8 p.m., March 14. For details and map go to http://www.phys-astro.sonoma.edu/observatory/pvns08.html.
GALLERIES
"LIFE? OR THEATRE?" - German-Jewish artist Charlotte Salomon created an unusual autobiography through more than 1,300 paintings that were created within 18 months between 1940 and 1942 while she was hiding from the Nazis. An exhibit of her work is running at the University Library Art Gallery through March 26. University Library Art Gallery, (707) 664-2637.
PROJECTED IMAGE - Featuring artists Jesus Aguilar, Rebeca Bollinger, Jeanne C. Finley, John Muse, Paul Kos, and Tony Oursler. University Art Gallery. 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; Noon-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. University Art Gallery, (707) 664-2295.
FILMS
ALL IN THIS TEA - Tea importer David Lee Hoffman travels throughout China in search of handcrafted premium teas. Directors Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht follow this adventurer as he discovers new teas and attempts to overcome bureaucratic obstacles to buying tea directly from farmers. Sonoma Film Institute. 4 p.m., Sunday, March 9. Warren Auditorium. General admission is $5. $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens, $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students admitted for free. (707) 664-2606
ALICE - Using the combined techniques of animation and live action Jan Svankmajer has taken this classic tale of childhood fantasies and added a new and fascinating dimension. "Alice" will be preceded by Ladislaw Starewicz' 1934 puppet animation film "The Mascot". Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m., Thursday, March 13. Darwin 103. And 7 p.m., Friday, March 14. Warren Auditorium. General admission is $5.00. $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens, $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students are admitted for free. (707) 664-2606
