B Y: G L EN D A HE N S L E Y
FE B RU A R Y 20 1 4
Special Report: Communication!
This month’s focus topic is “Communication.” Effective communication is a corner stone of information literacy,
critical thinking, perspective taking, respect, cultural capital, civil discourse, scholarly debate, contemplation….
well, I suspect you get my point. How we communicate demonstrates “how we are smart.” We learn and
communicate our understandings according to how we most effectively process information (visual, verbal,
kinesthetic). The Open Mind by Dr. D. Markova (1996, is an excellent and personal favorite resource on this
topic. Artful communication is a skill to be valued and worthy of dedicated effort. This issue will share a few
opportunities on the horizon for your consideration and to share with your students.
Tuesday Tips for Success
Master Communicator: From Socrates to Colbert – pop culture and icons
Please invite your students to attend this master workshop facilitated by Dr. Margaret Bruder, one of our best
experts! Workshops are open to all first-year students – meaning freshmen, first-generation, and transfer
students. Please join us in the Blue Ridge Multipurpose Room on February 11 at 5 pm.
Family Table
FYE Summer Learning Communities
This Saturday at Open House, please feel welcome to share a new opportunity with students and families. This
summer students can get an early start on their academic career in one of two learning communities:
Catamount GAP and WHEE Teach. Both learning communities will offer 7 credit/hours of study, co-curricular
and residential programing, and lots of opportunities to discover what makes our place in the mountains so
special! FYE Summer will run con-currently with the Academic Success Program and all three communities will
begin with orientation on June 29-30 for a 5-week session of engaged learning. This head-start can also be
helpful to students entering majors with heavy program requirements and as a result, also benefit your
department goals to help our students “Finish in Four.” For more information, please visit FYE Summer online!
The CORE
First-year Common Read
Common reading programs invite new students to share a common intellectual experience and discourse as
they launch their educational career. Best practice indicates that effective programs integrate the book with
selected courses and programming to encourage dialogue with faculty, staff, and peers. In moving forward, it is
important that we work with common purpose to help insure a successful and productive common read – one
that is academically rigorous, intellectually stimulating, and most definitely interesting to our students! If this
sounds like a project with which you wish to be involved, please contact Glenda at ghensley@wcu.edu
Perspectives
EYE on FYE! “Connect the Dots.”
Connect the Dots is one of the First-year learning goals, aimed to encourage
students to integrate information and experience - and to express new
understandings. EYE on FYE provides first-year students the opportunity to
effectively and expressively communicate how they “Connect the Dots” via any creative medium (writing, art,
video, music). Perhaps students wish to communicate how they connect academics to their personal goals and
values, or how their world view impacts their decisions and actions. The contest details are on the FYE website
for your reference. Please encourage your students to submit an entry by March 7th.
Finalists will be notified and invited to a special celebration and reception with the FYE Advocates on April 8th.
Tool Box
I See Stories
In the introduction of this issue, I referenced communication as an art. The reverse is also true - art is
communication. When students tap into their creative core, they discover a voice and vision that can inform all
levels of communication and meaning making – from the art wing to the science wing. We are fortunate at WCU
to have an amazing Fine Art Museum and I find it a particularly effective learning lab! There are a range of
opportunities to explore communication via the museum and arts-based teaching methodologies.
Key Concepts to Explore:
 Sensory responses: What do we see, know, and feel?
 Perspective & Context - how we respond/react to images and other stimuli – and why.
 How cultural, social and environmental literacy informs perspective and critical reflection.
 How does one’s knowledge base inform an ability to interpret and evaluate arts?
 How the process of discovery can enhance one’s ability to communicate understandings.
Strategies:
Gallery Tours; Group Discussion; Mapping responses; Story outlines; Moving pictures; and so many more!
CEO Reminders---Calendars – Events – Opportunities
CALENDARS
Student Life Calendar: For a complete listing of what's going on for students from intramurals, to concerts and
lectures, to organizations, arts and culture, and so much more....
Events Calendar: Information on arts and culture at WCU - plays, concerts, art exhibits, films, and more...
Service Learning: Current Events
ACE: Arts and Cultural Events Calendar
Coulter Faculty Commons Calendar
PEAKS Potty TimesWestern Carolina PEAKS disseminates a newsletter called the Potty Times every two-three
weeks which includes toilet teasers, words of wisdom, campus events, etc. If you would like for us to advertise a
specific event in the calendar section, please Contact Laura Ansley, Department of Residential Living.
EVENTS
WCU Undergraduate Expo
Please encourage your students to submit fall term posters, presentations, performances, or creative work for
the 16th Undergraduate Expo at WCU, which will be March 24 and 25. The deadline for submissions is
Thursday, March 6. Remember, we just need the completed form--not the project! The Expo guidelines are
posted on The Honors College website at http://www.wcu.edu/5520.asp.
Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon 5K
Saturday, April 5th, 2014 on and around the campus of WCU. The 4th annual half marathon begins at 8:00am and
the 5K begins at 8:15am near WCU's Central Plaza. Registration is going on now at www.imathlete.com
Registration includes the following:
• Training program and fun running group to keep you on track! Meets 4 mornings per week and is free for
all half marathon & 5k registrants
• Nutrition tips from WCU Nutrition Interns
• Technical running shirt
• Goodie bag
• Half Marathon finishers will receive a finisher prize
• Pride and satisfaction in completing this awesome WCU tradition!
For more information, visit halfmarathon.wcu.edu or e-mail valleyofthelilies@email.wcu.edu.
Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues
February 28 and March 1, 2014; 7:00pm
UC Grand Room (3rd Floor, UC)
Advanced Admission: $6 - General Admission: $8
All ticket prices include sales tax.
For more information, including tickets to the Vagina Monologues,
please contact the Department of Intercultural Affairs at ica@wcu.edu.
V-Men Interest Meeting (Advocacy and Awareness Opportunity)
February 11, 2014; 8:00pm
Intercultural Affairs Lounge, 3rd Floor UC
Girl Rising (Documentary)
February 13, 2014; 7:00pm --- UC Theater (3rd Floor, UC)
Co-sponsored with Philosophy and Religion
More information can be found at www.girlrising.com
A call-to-action panel with campus departments will follow the film.
OPPORTUNITIES
Exchange: A Retreat of Interdisciplinary Scholarship
February 28-March 1, 2014
Spend two days at Fontana Village Resort with colleagues from across Western Carolina University, engaging in
an exchange of ideas, disciplines, methods, resources, and experiences. Explore problems and topics beyond the
scope of single disciplines and learn more about possible interdisciplinary scholarship and opportunities that
build upon your current research. Come prepared to work, think, and discuss during small and large group
sessions, and enhance your research skills through workshop sessions addressing issues such as building
effective research collaborations, using research methodologies, budgeting, and grant writing. By the end of the
retreat, you will have an interdisciplinary research plan. Limited to 50 participants. Contact Annette Parris by
February 14, 2014. Exchange is a partnership between the Coulter Faculty Commons, Graduate School and
Research, and the Office of the Provost.
Service!!!!
Alternative Spring Break: Jamaica 2014
Campus Collection Sites:
School of Teaching and Learning Office, 120 Killian & 342 HHS, office of Cheryl Clark
Monetary donations to this campus-wide effort can be made to: WCU Foundation, send to Gina Steinbicker,
204 HF Robinson Hall. Be sure the for space says “ Jamaica, spring break trip” Funds are used to supplement the
materials requested by our partners in Jamaica.
Buckets of Hope (Community Service Opportunity)
February 10-28, 2014
Drop-Off Locations: Center for Service Learning, the Department of Social Work, Intercultural Affairs, and the
Blue Ridge, Scott, and Walker Residence Halls. Items may also be donated at all V-Day WCU events.
Donate personal care items to benefit the clients of REACH of Macon County and the Clean Slate Coalition.
Donate everyday items such as: blankets (new or gently used), cleaning products, diapers, laundry
detergent, paper towels, pillow cases, twin bed sheets, toilet paper, toiletry items (i.e. body lotion, body
wash, combs, conditioner, deodorant, soap, mouthwash, razors, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste,
feminine products, etc.). Please do not donate used items (unless otherwise specified).
Women’s History Month Day of Service (Community Service Opportunity)
March 29, 2014; various times/locations
To RSVP, please contact Sarah Carter (sacarter@wcu.edu) or Jennifer Cooper (jacooper@wcu.edu)
Co-sponsored with the Center for Service Learning & Office of Intercultural Affairs.
Career Services Peer Career Mentors!
Peer Career Mentors offer students on-location guidance and support from their Mobile Mentoring Station at
locations across campus. They can critique resumes, teach students how to search for jobs, showcase resources
like Perfect Interview and Focus 2, and help research careers. Please look for their yellow table, and refer
students to the PCMs for help with any of these tasks. Their schedule for the semester is
here: http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/Spring2014PCMTableLocations.pdf
We are highlighting our Stress Management program this
semester. This program discusses sources of stress, the impact of
stress, and tips on coping with stress.
See the CAPS website to learn more about the free and confidential weekly groups offered by Counseling &
Psychological Services (CAPS). Call CAPS (828-227-7469):
 For Consultation: You have concerns about a student and wish to talk to a counselor about your concerns.
 To request Outreach: CAPS staff can provide outreach programming on a variety of mental health topics.
WHEE for Life recognizes February 2014 as American Heart Month
This February, WHEE for Life encourages you to focus on your heart! Heart disease is the
leading cause of death for both men and women, but it is both preventable and
controllable. Additional information and resources may be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/
Eat a heart-healthy diet
Choosing healthful meal and snack options can help you avoid heart disease and its complications. Be sure to eat
plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in
fiber can help prevent high cholesterol. Limiting salt or sodium in your diet also can lower your blood pressure.
Speak to a nutritionist February 27th from 11am-1pm in the Dining Hall and learn how to make better food
choices with a healthy and balanced plate. Part of the MyPlate initiative, this is a perfect opportunity not
only to learn how to build the right plate, but what food groups can help reduce health related risk.
February FREE Wellness Opportunities at the Rec: Wednesday, February 19th
Yoga Wellness Wednesdays
12:10pm-12:50pm
Shape Up Saturdays
11:00am-12:00pm
Mind/Body Experiments
7:00pm-8:00pm
Tai Chi Chih
The above sessions are free to employees. You do not need to be a member of the CRC or the Group X
Program to attend. Please present your CATCARD at the front desk.
Monitor your blood pressure
High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so be sure to have it checked on a regular basis. Blood pressure
checks for employees are available through University Health Services and do not count toward your three sick
visits per year. For more information visit the Convenient Care for WCU Employees website.
Resource File
Blackboard --- reference and participate in the Transition Pathways Course site....
Education Briefcase – resources and information for students and for faculty……….
CFC on the Web --- help with teaching, technology, and more--- helping you do what you do better!
OrgSync --- the place for student clubs and organizations and other co-curricular opportunities .
First-Year Seminar: Liberal Studies – resource guide for faculty teaching the first-year seminar …
Transition Pathways: An instructor resource - resource guide for FYE transition course instructors …
FYE on the Web --- many resources and network links to help you along the way …..
FYE Message Board – A weekly e-journal for and by FY students.
Engage students in the conversation of learning and experience – with each other!
The next regular publication will be March, 2014 --- please let me know if you want to share
updates about programs, events, or other opportunities for teaching and learning in FYE!
Glenda Hensley, FYE Director ghensley@wcu.ed