MSU's web site is redesigned to be more user friendly
Internet surfers heading for Montclair State University will find a new look at www.montclair.edu. MSU's website has been redesigned and reorganized to be more user friendly and attractive to prospective students. The new look-a collaborative effort between Communications and Information Technology, with assistance from FX Design in Cherry Hill-goes into effect Feb. 1.
"The new design and the way the site is organized make it easier for prospective students to find the information they're looking for," said Cindy Meneghin, who joined the University in September as web manager. Visitors to the University's homepage will find categories where they can link to key information about admissions, faculty and staff, academics, athletics, alumni and more. There are also links to current news and information about the University. Prospective students can take a virtual campus tour or find the best route to the University via car or public transportation. The site also was constructed with the MSU community in mind.
"We want our web site to be an effective communication tool, not only for prospective students but for the campus community as well," Meneghin said. "We want faculty and staff to use Montclair State's homepage as a starting point whenever they get on the Internet." For example, links to state and federal resources; travel information, including discount airline tickets; newspapers, including the Star-Ledger, Herald and News and Bergen Record; the weather; and academic resources including links to dictionaries, encyclopedias and libraries all can be accessed directly from MSU's web site. Searches on the Internet through Infoseek also can be done right from MSU's homepage.
"The new site is more dynamic, with more timely information, such as changes in the campus schedule due to weather," said Brian Beckett of Information Technology. "The new design also utilizes web-oriented technologies, such as Java, and lays the foundation for implementing new services. For example, we will be expanding and developing tools so individual faculty and staff can produce, publish and maintain their own web pages," Beckett said. "Tools that will assist in easy self-page creation and publishing eventually will be accessible through the University's homepage."
Meneghin said she hopes the campus community takes a more active and responsible role with the Internet. "We are here to provide the campus community with the tools and training they need to create and manage their own web pages," she said.
Montclair State University's New Jersey School of Conservation (SOC) has something to celebrate-50 years of excellence in environmental education. Over the past half century, the SOC has served more than 250,000 New Jersey students and teachers, and is a model for schools around the world.
It was in 1949 that the New Jersey State Department of Conservation and Economic Development designated 240 acres in Sussex County as a special use area for education and research. On Memorial Day weekend that year, the New Jersey School of Conservation opened its doors and ushered in a new era in teaching methodologies in environmental education.
The school, which has been directed by John Kirk since 1963, was conceived as a pre-service teachers training program. Vaughn Vandegrift, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, was one of those pre-service students. He remembers arriving at the camp by bus on a clear, autumn day in 1965. "The daily activities at the School of Conservation provided an inculcation into the wilderness of New Jersey," he explained, "and the entire program reinforced the values of conserving our precious environment."
Since then, the SOC has evolved into a full-fledged program with graduate and undergraduate courses, with every program having some component related to teacher training.
Jerry Schierloh, assistant director of the SOC and associate professor of environmental studies, said although some of the school's programs are geared toward students in higher education, a large part of the school's success is because of its commitment to the community and its schools.
"One of our goals is to foster a greater sensitivity in our young folks of the importance and value of natural areas and the natural integrity of environments that help us sustain life," Schierloh said. "We're opening their eyes to the importance and value of all those natural elements that are a significant part of the environment."
Averaging between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors a year, the SOC is literally the world's largest classroom. "Teachers and students are invigorated by the direct experimental approach," Schierloh said. "It captures their attention in an enhanced learning environment."
The SOC has been celebrating its golden anniversary throughout the year with special workshops, lectures, conferences and field experiences for children, teachers and families. "There aren't too many programs that have been involved with environmental education as long as we have and we feel there are a lot of people who would want to celebrate this anniversary with us," Schierloh said. "We are celebrating that we are one of the largest environmental field centers in the world particularly as they relate to universities, and we want to draw attention to each chapter of history and how one built upon the other and evolved into the kind of programming we have today."
In October, Dr. Ernest Partridge, who spent his summers working with his parents at the SOC, spoke about the school's early history and how the school's hands-on approach was first conceived.
On Feb. 20, Dr. William Stapp, professor emeritus of the Department of Environmental Education at the University of Michigan and author of several textbooks on environmental education, will talk about the NJSOC and today's challenges in environmental education. On May 17, Dr. John Smythe, professor and chairman of the Biology Department at Paisley College in Scotland, will talk about "The International Dimension of Environmental Education."
The 50th anniversary celebration will culminate June 4-6 with a weekend of events, including a banquet, concert and special memorial tribute to those who have made distinguished contributions to the School of Conservation.
"The SOC's accomplishments have been recognized across the nation and literally throughout the world," Vandegrift said. "As we prepare for the beginning of the next millennium, the importance of conservation, environmental awareness and environmental education will become more significant to the survival of humankind."
There's a new piece of art adorning a wall in the Center for Archaeological Studies. The painting, a reproduction of a 1915 painting by artist Carlos Vierra, was done by Harry DeBeus of Clifton, husband of Barbara DeBeus of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The 2-by-6-foot painting, which took about six months to complete, is of Tikal, one of the oldest, largest and most important Maya sites. Stanley Walling, director of the Center for Archaeological Studies, uses the site as a staging spot for the Three Rivers Regional Archaeological Project, the largest project of its kind in Central America. DeBeus used a combination of oil, water color and acrylic to replicate Vierra's original painting, which hangs in the Museum of Man in San Diego and recently was restored thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. According to Walling, Vierra used photographs and maps to get a sense of the sites he painted. "Because the sites Vierra painted were so overgrown with tropical forest, it was impossible to get a complete sense of the layout and character of the architecture," he explained. "Vierra's paintings of sites such as Tikal provide a view that no photograph can." DeBeus, who reproduces paintings and sketches of "the old masters like Van Gogh and Michelangelo" as a hobby, said he enjoyed the challenge of painting Tikal because it was one of the largest he had done.
Jack Samuels
professor, Health Professions, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies
"I've always called this field the ultimate applied science because it draws on more different disciplines than any other industry."
When Great Adventure introduces Medusa-its newest roller coaster-in April, droves of eager thrill seekers will wait impatiently on line for hours to experience its heart-stopping drops, corkscrew loops and boomerang turns. Amusement parks like this around the world attract millions of guests every year. Unfortunately for these recreation and entertainment facilities, the lines are a lot shorter at their personnel offices, so the industry is desperately seeking skilled professionals. Jack Samuels of Health Professions, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies, who takes the business of having fun very seriously, has been awarded a grant by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) to help market career opportunities and improve retention rates in the industry.
INSIGHT: Why are skilled professionals turned off to the recreation and entertainment industry?
Samuels: They think there's no real career path. Teen-agers loading kids on rides, hamburger flingers and gift shop attendants are the only employees visible at major theme parks. Managers and professionals are deliberately kept behind the scenes because when guests see suits they want to know what people with jackets and ties are doing there.
INSIGHT: What is the result of this labor crisis?
Samuels: The all-time grand crisis is going to happen in Orlando this summer when Universal Studios opens yet another major theme park and three more large resort hotels, requiring another 10,000 workers. That's a lot when there's no significant place to draw from. Vegas is another major recreational amusement place, but a lot of projects there have failed because of ill-conceived plans and a labor shortage. The MGM Grand, for instance, has closed down half its theme parks and no longer operates year round.
INSIGHT: How can the industry attract professionals?
Samuels: By forming liaisons with colleges and universities. Disney started this trend when its human resources needs were so large it could no longer sustain a quality
workforce without bringing in college students.
The industry has to be taught how to first capture high school students' interest in the field. Recreational facilities are ideal places to build people skills. I want to show high school and college students that a seemingly mundane job may actually be a valuable resume item. An employer who sees Disney on a resume will hire you because Disney has a superior training program. We want the entire industry to be thought of as a Disney.
INSIGHT: Which professions could benefit from a career in this industry?
Samuels: I've always called this field the ultimate applied science because it draws on more different disciplines than any other industry. Business and communications people, marketers, engineers, events planners, entertainment technicians and theater people could pave a successful career path in recreation and entertainment. Terms coined in recent years such as "edutainment," which refers to educational entertainment for children, have the industry interested in hiring educators, too.
INSIGHT: How do you intend to market the industry to potential employees?
Samuels: I'm going to put together promotional material, videos and a list of colleges and universities. I'll also visit facilities and try out some training concepts and programs designed to motivate and retain workers. I'm looking into a program that will bring in people from other organizations and ask them to work five hours a month, hoping they eventually may want to do it full time. Fun is a good motivator in the workplace. Here we have an industry that's fun unto itself, yet we can't get workers.
INSIGHT: As a connoisseur of recreational entertainment, what are your personal favorite attractions?
Samuels: Disney's 3-D interactive movies-"It's Tough to Be a Bug!" at Animal Kingdom, "The Muppet Show" at MGM Studios and "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" at Epcot Center. The Back to the Future and Terminator rides at Universal round out my top five.
Cole to appear next month on "Caucus: New Jersey"
Montclair State University President Susan A. Cole will be a guest on "Caucus: New Jersey," hosted by MSU alumnus Steve Adubato and seen in 15.8 million households in the state.
During the program, the two will discuss a number of educational issues including where Cole would like Montclair State to be in five years. "I would like the University to be recognized as the pre-eminent educator of the workforce in New Jersey," she said. "And I think that will be."
Broadcast dates are Saturday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 a.m. on New Jersey Network (NJN); and Sunday, Feb. 7, at 6 a.m. on Channel 13 and at 10 a.m. on NJN.
Fulbright Scholar wins grand prize for artwork
Tetsuo Fujimoto of Seian University in Shiga, Japan, a Fulbright Scholar at Montclair State in 1992-93, has been awarded the grand prize, $20,000, at the 1999 International Textile Exhibition in Kyoto, Japan.
"This is the biggest award in our field-tantamount to a Pulitzer," said Carol Westfall of Fine Arts. "We are so happy for him."
Fujimoto exhibited similar work in the University Gallery as part of an exhibition, "Contemporary Stitch-Japan Style," which is now at the University of Southern Illinois and will travel to the University of Guam before going back to Japan.
Gordon from Sesame Street teaches kids about safety
Roscoe Orman, "Gordon" from Sesame Street, will star in a fun-filled production of "The Safety Zone" on Friday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium. Magic combines with important safety lessons in this joyful, live show, intended for children ages 3 to 8.
Crossing the street, being approached by a stranger or confronting a fire are all real problems for youngsters in today's world. Orman provides answers to frightening situations in this informative, interactive and educational show. An influential and positive role model for millions of children around the world, "Gordon" has taught the ABCs and 123s since 1972 in joyful sing-along songs that make learning fun.
Orman's stage appearances include "Julius Caesar" and "Coriolanus" at the New York Shakespeare Festival, "The Great Daddy" at the Negro Ensemble Theatre and "Mahalia" at the New Federal Theatre. Television audiences have seen him on such programs as "Sanford and Son," "Kojak" and "All My Children."
Tickets are $15. For more information, call the Box Office at 5112.
In Memoriam
Alvin Earl Mielke, an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Sociology, passed away Jan. 17 at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He was 54.
Mielke taught sociology at MSU for six years and was elected president at-large of the University's Federation of Adjunct Faculty. He was an avid ice hockey player and played regularly at Floyd Hall Arena on campus. He was a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit and later earned a master's degree in management of human resources from the New School in New York. He resided in Bloomfield.
He is survived by his wife, R. Melissa, two daughters, three sons, a brother and four grandchildren.
Faculty and staff who are Montclair State alumni are invited to a brown bag lunch at the Alumni House on Wednesday, Feb. 3, from noon to 2 p.m. Refreshments and dessert will be served. Call the Alumni Office at 4141 for more information.
Want to learn more about the Montclair in Madrid program this summer? The Global Education Center is holding an open house on Friday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Dickson Hall, Room 178. Drop by to find out more information about the summer session in Spain.
For emergency and weather related-closing of the University or an altered campus schedule, call 655-7810 for a recorded message. Weather-related information about Montclair State also will be announced on the following radio stations: FM: WNNJ (103.7), WSUS (102.3), WDHA (105), WMGQ (98), WJLK (94.3). AM: WDHA (1250), WGHT (1500), WCBS (88), WINS (1010), (WOR 710), WABC (77), WCTC (1450), WERA (1590), WJLK (1310) and WJDM (1520).
The eight-day holiday of Passover will be observed from sundown Wednesday, March 31, to sundown Thursday, April 8. Most Jews observe the first two evenings as nights of family gatherings. For the more traditionally observant, no work may be done the first two days and the last two days. Faculty are asked for their consideration in scheduling tests, quizzes or other work required on those days.
Joan Ficke of Academic Affairs and the Women's Center presented a paper, "The University Women's Center: Revisiting its Vital Role in Higher Education," in Charleston, S.C. at the 12th annual International Conference on Women in Higher Education sponsored by the National Association for Women in Education.
C.N. Jayachandran of Marketing presented two papers, "Using Quality Management Tools in Driving Out Fear so as to Achieve World Class Economic Gains" and "The Internet: A Strategic Tool to Enhance International Competitiveness of Chinese Enterprise," and chaired plenary and paper presentation sessions at a conference in Zhuhai, China, "China in the Globalization of the World Economy." MSU was one of the sponsors of the conference, which Jayachandran helped coordinate.
Luis Montesinos of Psychology participated in a roundtable discussion at the Universidad de Granada about the integration of different theoretical perspectives in clinical practice. He also conducted a workshop on health psychology with the elderly and gave an invited presentation in Salamanca at the IV Iberic Congress of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Nicholas Michelli of Education and Human Services and Wendy Hollenbeck, an English major who completed her student teaching at the Montclair High School Professional Development School, participated at the invitation of Gov. Christine Todd Whitman on a panel discussing the governor's education initiatives. Whitman and state Education Commissioner Leo Klagholz opened the session by commenting on Montclair State University's leadership in forming partnerships with schools and establishing professional development schools, and invited the Montclair participants to describe the program. The governor's initiatives include supporting the establishment of Professional Development Schools including an allocation of $750,000 for that purpose.
James Yang of Accounting, Law and Taxation had his article, "Tax Incentives of Joint Ventures in China," published in International Tax Journal, Winter 1998.
Kelly Dowling
sophomore
For more information about position announcements, see bulletin board outside the Personnel Office in College Hall or visit MSU's web site at www.montclair.edu.
Associate Vice President for Human Resource Services, Business and Finance. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Starting date: May 1. Apply by Feb. 15. V-08.
Admissions Services Coordinator/Assistant Director,The Graduate School. Salary: $39,056-$42,960. Starting date: March 8. Apply by Feb. 5. V-10.
INTERNAL SEARCH:
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs for Personnel, Provost/Academic Affairs. Salary: $61,755-$92,641. Send letter and resume by Jan. 29 to Denise DeBlasio, V-07.
For Sale
FUTON. Wooden frame with full-size mattress. Asking $200. Call Serena Smith of Health Careers at 5202.
FORD MUSTANG. 1994 GT convertible. V-8, 5.0 liter automatic. 30,000 miles. Hunter green with tan interior and top. C/D tape player. Includes Ford warranty to June 2000. Asking $15,500. Submitted by Randye Mitrani of Athletics. Call Adam at 212-495-2477 days and 201-222-9098 evenings.
If you have an item you would like advertised in the "Bulletin Board," send it to Diana St. Lifer of Public Information.
For tickets to or information about theater events, call the Box Office at 5112.
Noon Recitals. McEachern Recital Hall.
Afternoon/Evening Recitals. McEachern Recital Hall.
For tickets to or information about dance events, call the Box Office at 5112.
Home games only are listed. Schedule is subject to change. For more information, call the Athletic Office at 5234. (Mens and Women's Track Meets are all away)
& MORE
Jan. 14: MBA New Student Reception and Orientation. An opportunity for students to ask questions, meet the dean and faculty, network with fellow students and tour the campus. 5-5:30 p.m. Reception; 5:30-7 p.m. Orientation, Partridge Hall, Room 423.
Feb. 10: MBA Open House. An opportunity for prospective students to learn about MSU's MBA program. 6 p.m., Partridge Hall, Room 423. For more information, call Viola Hoffman at 4306.
Feb. 22-March 30: On-Campus Recruitment sponsored by Career Development. For more information, call Celeste Stevens at 7199.
March 4-April 15: International Film Festival. 4:30-7 p.m., Dickson Hall, Brantl Lecture Hall. Free. For more information, call Elizabeth Emery at 4452 or Karen Venturella at 7153.
April 7: Campus Disability Awareness Day. To foster understanding of people with disabilities and celebrate their diverse culture. Through this program it is hoped that stereotypical and prejudicial thinking about individuals with disabilities will be reduced and their full participation in campus life will be promoted. There will be a variety of activities including panels, speakers, entertainment and exhibits. Sponsored by the Unity Coalition; the Senate Committee on Services for Persons with Disabilities, the Office for Students with Disabilities and other student organizations. For more information, call Elaine Fine at 7361 or Linda Smith at 5431.
April 15: Service and Retirement Awards. 3 p.m., Student Center Ballrooms.
April 27: Women of Montclair State University Scholarship Reception. 7 p.m., Student Center Dining Room.
April 27: Phi Kappa Phi initiation ceremony. 7:30 p.m., Student Center.
April 28: World's Fair, a university-wide celebration. Also "Hands Across the Campus" Unity Project. Noon-3 p.m., Student Center Mall. Raindate: April 29, Student Center Ballrooms. For more information, call Beverly Friedman at 7471.
May 4: School of Business Awards and Honors Program. 7-9 p.m., Student Center Ballrooms. For more information, call Mary Ellen Ahmadi at 4304.
At Yogi Berra Museum Feb. 9: Black History Month Symposium with Larry Doby. 2 p.m.
Feb. 16: Screeining of Field of Dreams. 7:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion.