Health, Wellness and Counseling
Exercise Self-Care During the Holidays
The holidays can be hectic for everyone. With so many time commitments, buying gifts and spending time with friends and family, one might be left feeling drained and pessimistic this time of year. A simple review of the systems that encourage wellness can relieve and even eliminate much of this unneeded stress. Below are a few tips, courtesy of Phares Book, senior staff psychologist with Boise State Counseling Services, to make your holiday less stressful.
Put yourself first: Taking care of yourself and your needs first will provide you with the time and energy to enjoy company with others.
Eat well: Enjoy comfort foods such as chai tea and/or warm muffins. Fill your home with smells that engender love, comfort and peace. Consider a hearty soup. Carry a water bottle and drink extra fluids.
Sleep: It is important to sleep eight to 10 hours per day. Give yourself permission to take that extra nap, sleep in, and enjoy the cozy warmth of your bed. Find time to wake up to natural light or go to bed when it is dark.
Social Work
Programs to be Offered in Twin Falls, Application Due in Early January
Magic Valley residents interested in earning either a bachelor of social work or master of social work degree can now do so without having to drive to Boise. Boise State will begin offering both programs at the College of Southern Idaho campus beginning with the Spring 2009 semester.
Expansion of the program is based on a similar program in northern Idaho, and is in response to a known community need.
“Many people cannot relocate to another university due to jobs or family obligations,” said William Whitaker, a Boise State professor who is director of external programs. “We did an online survey, and close to 200 persons responded, either related to a BSW or MSW degree, so there is a large need in the Magic Valley area.”
The College of Southern Idaho already offers an associate degree in social work, so Whitaker expects a smooth transition into the five-semester bachelor’s degree program. The first cohort will consist of approximately 20 students, who will take classes during the day.
A cohort of about 18 students will be admitted to the advanced-standing master’s program, geared toward students with a bachelor’s degree in social work. The program can be completed in either a year of full-time study or two years of half-time study, with courses offered during evenings and weekends.
Professional Staff Association
Winter Luncheon Set Jan. 11
The Professional Staff Employee of the Year will be announced at the Professional Staff Association’s Winter Luncheon, which is scheduled from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 11 in the Hatch Ballroom of the Student Union. The Professional Staff Senate would like to congratulate all the nominations for the annual award.
To be nominated for this award an individual must be a current full-time employee of the university, have been a professional staff employee for at least five years, and have made a significant contribution to the university and community. Those wishing to attend the winter luncheon should RSVP to Laurie Oliver at ext. 6-1616 by Jan. 4. Cost is $5 and includes lunch. Here are this year’s nominees:
- Leah Barrett, executive director of student development
- Diana Fairchild, interim director of the west campus
- Cal Gillis, manager, environmental health and safety
- John Kelly, manager, photographic services in Marketing and Communications
- Ellie McKinnon, director, Osher LifeLong Learning Institute
- Pat Pyke, director of research education and infrastructure, College of Engineering
- Ferd Schlapper, executive director, Health, Wellness and Counseling Services
- Kimber Shaw, director of advising and academic enhancement
ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGIES
Blackboard Upgrade
Boise State’s Blackboard home page has the information about the upgrade schedule for Jan. 2 at http://blackboard.boisestate.edu Also, here is the link for information about the new features in Blackboard: http://itc.boisestate.edu/BbSupport/upgrade/7.3.
The Campaign for Boise State
Campaign update as of Nov. 30, 2007
Campaign total: $79,984,431.87
Percentage of $175 million goal: 45.71 percent
Fund for the Future total: $3,895,003
Percentage of $10 million goal: 38.95 percent
The Destination Distinction comprehensive campaign received a boost recently with a gift of $500,000 from Hilda Elliott. Elliott and her husband, who died this past summer, owned Elliott Lumber in Boise and Payette for many years. Four days after she made her gift, Elliott died from a fall and subsequent heart attack. She was 87.
Two of the Elliott’s five children attended Boise State, and one daughter graduated from the accounting program. Working with University Advancement directors Jennifer Neil and Sunny Wallace, Elliott asked that her gift support the following:
- $200,000 to support Julia Oxford’s biomedical research
- $150,000 for a business management scholarship
- $150,000 for a business accounting scholarship
For more campaign information, visit the campaign web site[http://www.boisestate.edu/foundation/campaign/index.html].
Nursing
Info Sessions Announced for BSU Nursing Applicants
Applications for Boise State’s bachelor’s degree program in nursing are now available. Students may attend one of three information sessions in January to pick up an application or ask questions. Students can RSVP for a session by calling ext. 6-4143. Applications for the program are available online.
Information Sessions - 4:30-5:30 p.m., Jan. 24 Science/Nursing Building, Room 163
Noon-1 p.m., Jan. 28 Science/Nursing Building, Room 174
2:30-3:30 p.m., Jan. 31 Science/Nursing Building, Room 174
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Knit a Scarf to Help Winter Games
Special Olympics is seeking knitters to make scarves for the athletes and delegation members who attend the 2008 Invitational Winter Games in Boise in February. Read this flyer, knit a scarf, send the scarf to the address on the flyer and send a picture of you and your scarf to Cindy Hall so we can give you 15 minutes of fame on the Boise State Special Olympics Web page.
FOCUS THE NATION RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Submissions for Poster Presentations Sought
The Focus the Nation group and Boise State invite faculty members and students to submit an abstract for a poster presentation for the Global Change Research Symposium, which will be held at Boise State Jan. 30 in the Student Union.
Submission of multiple abstracts by a presenter is encouraged as are abstracts that have been previously presented at conferences outside of Boise State. Poster abstracts (250 words or less) may be submitted via email to Kevin Feris at kevinferis@boisetate.edu. The abstract deadline is Jan. 10. Applicants will be notified by Jan. 15. Posters will be programmed into topical sessions based on the content of the abstract. Posters related to any area of global change research will be considered.
CAMPUS REC
REMINDER: Jumpstart Your January with Campus Rec
Get a free membership to the Student Recreation center during Jumpstart January. Just in time for your New Year’s resolution, the Campus Rec is extending use of the center to all faculty and staff who are currently non-members for the entire month of January. Play, swim, burn off some steam, or work toward your resolution for free. Prize drawings and other incentives each week will help keep you motivated throughout the month. To sign up, bring your university ID to the service desk at Campus Rec. For more information, call Heather Gribble at ext. 6-5674.
CRIME LOG
Weekly Crime Log
Boise City Police and Campus Security present the weekly crime report.
