Volume 31, No.9
October 22, 1999
Contact: Terry Day (570) 662-4844
tday@mnsfld.edu 

Tentative Agreement

     The State System of Higher Education and Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) have announced a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract.
     If ratified by both parties, terms of the new agreement will be retroactive to July 1, 1999. The contract would run through June 30, 2002. Details of the tentative agreement with the faculty union, which represents the approximately 5,500 professors at the 14 state-owned universities, will be released upon its ratification.
     APSCUF's members will vote first on the tentative agreement. It then will be considered by the State System's Board of Governors.
     "The tentative agreement is fair to both sides. Now our faculty members can concentrate solely on delivering a quality education to our 95,000 students," said APSCUF President William E. Fulmer. "The students, families and future students of the State System are the real winners. The future quality of the State System universities has been assured."
     State System Chancellor James H. McCormick echoed Fulmer's satisfaction with the tentative settlement, which was reached after months of negotiations.
     "This agreement will enable the State System universities to continue to fulfill their mission of providing high quality, affordable education to our students," McCormick said. "It has been a difficult process, but we are now looking forward to working with our fine faculty as we move together into the new millennium."

An Open Letter To The University Community

October 21, 1999

Dear Members of the Mansfield University Family,
     By now, you have heard the good news announced late Wednesday night. A tentative agreement has been reached between the State System of Higher Education (SSHE) and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF). Both SSHE and APSCUF released a joint statement to the media commenting on a fair agreement to both sides. Details will be released upon ratification. APSCUF’s members will vote first on the tentative agreement which will then be considered by the State System’s Board of Governors.
     As we continue to focus on our central mission of providing the best quality education possible for our students, we are dedicated to providing an environment that promotes academic and personal growth as well as intellectual, ethical and aesthetic values.
     As a university where teaching and learning are paramount, it is important that we both reflect on recent events and learn from the process and the outcome. It is also essential that we come together for this common purpose of student learning.
     In that spirit, in the next month or so we will be scheduling an educational program--a continuation of my topical town meetings. We will bring together faculty and student leaders in a panel discussion to address a number of questions related to public policy, labor relations, and ethical issues that emerged from the recent negotiations process. We are first and foremost an institution of teaching and learning; therefore, we can all learn from this kind of inquiry and reflection.
     I have said many times that Mansfield is both a family and "on the move." It is essential that we continue in a positive direction and that our family comes together for our common commitment to providing the highest quality learning environment possible for our students. The special qualities of collegiality, civility, and shared governance plus a unique pride in our sense of community and care for students will continue to be hallmarks of Mansfield University.
Sincerely,

John R. Halstead
President

     The week of October 25 is Alcohol Education Week at MU. A full schedule of presentations is planned. Some have a less serious theme than others, but all are aimed at educating students, faculty and staff on the dangers and consequences of abusing alcohol and other drugs.
     On the lighter side will be Alpha Sigma Tau’s version of "The Blame Game" and Zeta Tau Alpha’s presentation of "Big Man On Campus." Keynote Speaker Dr. Robin Sawyer from the University of Maryland will address the issues of Violence and Alcohol in his two presentations on Wednesday, October 27. At 1 p.m. in 204 Memorial Hall Sawyer will talk with faculty and staff and then at 7 p.m. in North Manser he will make a presentation geared toward students.
     "Students need education outside the classroom as much as they do in it," said Carmen Bianco, director of MU’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Education Program. "We want the week to make students aware of the consequences of all their actions."
     The schedule of events for the week is:

Monday, October 25

7 p.m.     "Enforcement in a College Town"
               Lisa Harbach, PA Trooper
               Manser North

8 p.m.     "Kollar Consequences"
               Frank Kollar
               Manser North

9 p.m.     "The Blame Game"
              Alpha Sigma Tau
              The Hut

Tuesday, October 26

7 p.m.    "Beer Goggles"
              MU Officer Gregory Zagozewski
              & DUI Specialist Jake Zagozewski
              Manser North

8 p.m.     "Party Rights"
               Larry Mansfield, Attorney
               Manser North

Wednesday, October 27

1 p.m.     Faculty/Staff Presentation
               Robin Sawyer
               204 Memorial

7 p.m.     "Violence and Alcohol"
               Robin Sawyer
               Manser North

8:15 p.m. Root Beer Floats
                Compliments of ARA Food Service
                Manser North

9:15 p.m. "Big Man On Campus"
               Zeta Tau Alpha
               The Hut

Thursday, October 28

3:30 p.m. "Croll’s Commentary"
                Natalie Croll
                Manser North

7 p.m.      "Wellness in the New Millennium"
                Natalie Croll
               Manser North

     Funding for Alcohol Education Week is provided by a grant from the NCAA, the Alcohol Drug Education Center and BACCHUS/GAMMA.

Classic Tales

     Theatre fans, young and old, will be entertained by two upcoming performances by the Protean Theatre Company. On Thursday, October 28 at 8 p.m Straughn Hall will be transformed into Verona, Italy, where two teenagers from warring families fall in love. And so begins the tale of Romeo and Juliet, one of the greatest love stories the world has ever known. Area residents will have a chance to experience the intrigue, the sword play and word play as the "star-crossed" lovers live on stage in the production
     The timeless romance of Romeo and Juliet has fired the imaginations of young audiences from those who first saw it at the Globe Theatre to moviegoers of 1999.
     Jenn Thompson, fresh from Broadway Revivals of "Ah, Wilderness!" and "The Heiress," heads a stellar cast in this passionate and thoughtful production.
     The Mansfield University Fine Arts Committee is sponsoring Romeo and Juliet. "It’s been a few years since we’ve presented Shakespeare," said Michael Crum, committee member. "With the renewed interest from the movie version and other recent films based on Shakespeare’s work, and the outstanding reputation of the Protean Theatre Company, we thought this would be a great opportunity to bring the Bard back on campus."
     Tickets for Romeo and Juliet are $5 at the door. The performance is free to Mansfield students, faculty and staff.
     On Friday,October 29 at 11 a.m. it’s not too hot and not too cold. It’s just right! And kids of all ages can see why with the Protean Theatre Company production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
     Audience members will follow Goldilocks' crazy adventures as she stumbles into the house of the three bears. Lots of laughs follow during the goofy antics of the Three Bears and their uninvited guest. Kids of all ages will love the music and laugh out loud as the golden haired girl meets the furry creatures.
     Goldilocks is free and open to the public to encourage parents to bring their children. "We felt this was a great opportunity to introduce kids to the thrill of live theatre," said Dr. Kenneth Sarch, Fine Arts Committee Chair.
     For more information on Romeo & Juliet and Goldilocks and the Three Bears call the Fine Arts Hotline at extension 4444.

Helen Biblehimer, Health Sciences-Nursing, attended the Sixth Triennial Conference of the Nordic Association for Canadian Studies, University of Iceland in August. Biblehimer presented a paper titled "Using an Internet Link in Teaching Health Promotion."

STUDENT SCENE

The MU Debate Team, coached by Larry and Cathy Watts, competed in Richmond Spider Classic in Virginia October 8-10. Senior Mike Kittle and junior Anji Nolan went 3-3 to place 18^th. Freshman Sean Carpenter and Tanya Morgan went 1-5. In speaker points Nolan tied for 21^st and Kittle placed 27^th out of 76 speakers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The MU Music Department will present two concerts this weekend at Steadman Theatre. On Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m. it’s "An Evening of Ellington." On Saturday, October 23 at 8 p.m. it’s the annual fall concert, this year entitled "A Choral Collage." Both concerts are free and open to the public.
• On Friday, October 22 from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Doane Center Conference Room

there will be is a free, live teleconference sponsored by TIAA-CREF. "Financial Strategies for a New Century: Tips from America’s Experts" will give participants the chance to ask questions and learn from some of the country’s top investment experts.

• Saturday, October 23 is "Take A Kid To The Game" Day at Karl Van Norman Field. Children accompanied by a paying adult or current MU student will be admitted to the game free. The day is sponsored by MU athletics and NCAA Football.
• October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Resources are available in the Women's Center,102 Pinecrest. These include pink ribbons, information about self-examinations, mammograms, genetic testing, alcohol and its link to breast cancer, warning signs, and a questionnaire to assess risk of developing breast cancer. The Women's Center is open Mondays from 9-noon, Tuesdays from 11-3, Wednesdays from 9-11 and Fridays from 11-1 or by calling ext. 4389.
• 1999 Winter Commencement exercise will be held Saturday, December 18 at 1 p.m. in Decker Gymnasium. Academic attire orders for masters candidates and faculty must be in to the Campus Bookstore by October 29. Potential graduates should verify their eligibility, and honors status if appropriate, with the Academic Records Office, South Hall, Room 112 as soon as possible. For more information call ext. 4355.
• The 1999 State Employee Combined Appeal (SECA) is in its final weeks. If you have questions contact Betsy Brune, 1999 SECA Coordinator, at extension 4809 or John Boselli, Human Resources, at extension 4052.
• The Fabulous 1890s Weekend was featured in the September issue of Good Times magazine.
• The MU softball team raised $234 at their 2nd annual homerun derby during Homecoming weekend. The money will be donated to Campus Police Officer Charles Flaherty.

SPORTS UPDATE

     The MU field hockey team dropped a tough 1-0 decision to Kutztown in the final home game of the season on Tuesday. Freshman Gretchen Reschke and junior Jamie Huffcut continue to be among the conference scoring leaders and junior Michele Rohrer leads the PSAC in assists. The team is on the road for the final three games of the season.
     Despite a 162-yard effort by running back Lee Brannon, the football team fell to 0-6 with a 51-14 loss at Kutztown. Brannon moved into second place on the all-time rushing list with 2,624 yards and needs just 260 over the next four games to pass Dean Stewart (1989-92) as the school's career rushing leader. The Mounties host Lock Haven this Saturday at Karl Van Norman Field this Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
     After being off last weekend, the men and women's cross-country teams will travel to Gettysburg for a final tune-up before the PSAC Championships.
     Fans will get their first chance to preview the upcoming 1999-2000 men's and women's basketball teams at "Mountie Madness" this Friday night. The fun filled evening tips-off at 8:30 p.m. in Decker Gymnasium with both squads holding intersquad scrimmages, 3-point shootouts and a slam-dunk contest. Fans will get their own chance to take to the court to win prizes, including a $300 book scholarship.