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March 14, 2016

Posted by entomology.office | March 21, 2016

Announcements

The next Entomology Faculty Meeting will be at 9:00 – 10:30 AM on March 24th in FSHN 164.  The AMS dial # is:  5704472.

May Berenbaum will be a guest speaker at Gonzaga University in Spokane on March 21st at 7:30 PM in the Hemmingson Center Ballroom on the Gonzaga Campus.  She will also be giving a scientific lecture the next day.  Her talk is titled Apis-Pocalypse Now: Can Science Save the Honey Bee? This presentation is part of the 30th Annual Timothy J. O’Leary Lecture event.  She is the Swanlund Professor of Entomology and head of the Entomology Department at the Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  Dr. Berenbaum was the 1999 E. Paul Catts Lecture speaker here in our Department.  She is a recipient of the 2014 National Medal of Science in biological sciences and the editor of eight books. To learn more about Dr. Berenbaum go to: http://www.life.illinois.edu/entomology/faculty/berenbaum.html

Congratulations to Entomology Department awardees:

  • Betsy Beers is the recipient of $14,500 grant funding from Dupont (3/14/2016)
  • Jay Brunner is the recipient of $10,000 from PAC Biocontrol (3/14/2016)

For more info go to: http://informer.ogrd.wsu.edu/RecentFacultyAwards.aspx

Eppendorf will be having a pipette calibration day on March 22-25th in Clark Hall rm. 264.  They can service any brand of single or multichannel manual or electronic pipettes.  They will also do free quick checks on Eppendorf Repeaters (Repeater Plus, Stream, xStreem).  To sign up for time contact Cindy at 206-510-3750 or email her at Cheyne.c@eppendorg.com.

Are you attending the PB-ESA conference in Honolulu April 3-6th? Come practice your impromptu speaking skills at our fun blitz talk event! Signups are available at the registration desk. Priority to students and early professionals, but open to anyone interested!”  Alix B. Whitener, PhD Candidate, ESA Student Affairs Committee Vice Chair (see attached elevator flyer)

The deadline to take a final exam/defense for a doctoral or master’s degree and graduate spring 2016 is Friday, April 22, 2016. All graduate students must submit a Final Exam Scheduling Form and take a final exam. This includes master’s non-thesis degree students (non-thesis exams are frequently scheduled as Ballot Meetings in many departments/programs.  For more information, see the Deadlines and Procedures for Graduation form >> more here, and the Graduation Checklist (pdf)

Important notice to faculty:  To address recent Lab Safety Concerns and Initiatives, FSHN Principal Investigators and their primary lab manager(s) are responsible for attending one of the following mandatory trainings offered by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). To fulfill this requirement were offering three opportunities for faculty with space in FSHN to attend at least one training session in room 354 of FSHN:

  • Wednesday, March 23 @ 8:30 AM
  • Thursday, March 24 @ 1:00 PM
  • Friday, March 25 @ 1:30 PM

The training will consist of a half hour to an hour presentation by EH&S Assistant Director Jason Sampson addressing:

  • Brief definition of Dangerous Waste (the State of Washington has the most stringent hazardous waste regulations in the U.S., if you are new to the state this will probably be useful)
  • Dangerous Waste labeling requirements within the laboratory
  • Dangerous Waste storage requirements
  • WSU disposal procedures
  • Chemical storage and labeling
  • Emergency response to chemical spills and releases
  • 5 focuses areas identified in the letter from the Co-Provosts, VP of Finance and Administration, and VP of Research

Followed by time for questions and discussion.  EH&S will count your attendance towards completing the requirement. Please let us know if you have and questions.

Faculty Status Committee accepting nominations to serve on the Faculty Status Committee (FSC) are now being accepted by committee members Julie Anne Wieck and Dick Gomulkiewicz. The FSC is an independent investigative faculty committee elected by the WSU faculty at large to hear appeals of non-reappointment, denial of tenure or deferral of promotion. The FSC can also be asked to hear and investigate other appeals as outlined in the Faculty Manual.  FSC investigations are confidential and the results of an investigation are released only to the appellant and the president of the university. The FSC has 90 days to conclude an investigation after a formal appeal has been filed. FSC received one appeal for denial of tenure and promotion (T&P) in the spring of 2015. Investigation for the appeal was completed by early May and the report was forwarded to the appellant and President. The FSC has received no appeals concerning non-reappointment of tenure-track junior faculty (third-year review) from spring 2015. The Faculty Manual states that appeals must be evaluated on the basis of substantial procedural irregularity, inadequate consideration, and/or violation of academic freedom. Committee members serve staggered three-year terms and are not eligible to serve two consecutive terms. Current members and the year their term ends are as follows: Julie Anne Wieck, co-chair (2016); Robby Rosenman, co-chair (2017); Janet Katz (2016); Katrina Mealey (2016); Brian French (2017); Greg Rose (2017); Christina Chi (2018); Greg Matthews (2018); and Dick Gomulkiewicz (2018). To submit a name for election to the FSC, email jwieck@wsu.edu or gomulki@wsu.edu by March 28. The new term will start August 16.

The deadline to take a final exam/defense for a doctoral or master’s degree and graduate spring 2016 is Friday, April 22, 2016. All graduate students must submit a Final Exam Scheduling Form and take a final exam. This includes master’s non-thesis degree students (non-thesis exams are frequently scheduled as Ballot Meetings in many departments/programs.  For more information, see the Deadlines and Procedures for Graduation form >> more here, and the Graduation Checklist (pdf)

We are looking for our next Entering Year T-Shirt design.  New Student Programs started a new tradition a couple of years ago with a themed shirt students received at orientation. This year, we are again hosting a design contest to pick the best shirt for our new students.   Please pass along this site, which includes all design criteria, to the talented students you work with.  http://nsp.wsu.edu/t-shirt-design-contest/  Thank you so much for your help and support!

Amanda Garcia Morgan, Director of New Student Programs | Washington State University  Phone: 509-335-6041  |  Fax: 509-335-2078  |  alive.wsu.edu

IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW:

Entomology Dept. Faculty Meeting Schedule

3/24/2016 – 9:00  AM to 10:30 AM  5704472

4/22/2016 – 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM  5704472

5/20/2016 – 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM  5704472

6/24/2016 – 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM  5704472

7/22/2016 – 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM  5704472

The Graduate School has announced the 6th Annual Global Case Competition.  This competition brings student’s together to develop innovative interdisciplinary solutions to complex global issues facing each of us in today’s world.  Registration opens February 1, 2016.  Teams of 4 to 6 students work together under a strict timeline to develop an innovative solution to the selected case. Judging the solution occurs in 2 stages. Teams present their solutions in a 2-page written solution. Expert judges evaluate each solution and the top-5 teams are selected as finalists. Each of the finalist teams presents a solution in a public forum. Judges hear each solution and pose questions to the respective teams before selecting a winner. Registration will be open until 20 teams have been formed. To learn about GCC visit this webpage:  https://ip.wsu.edu/on-campus/support-international-learning/

Register now to attend the Celebrating Excellence Recognition Banquet on Friday, March 25.  Reservations will be accepted through Friday, March 18, at http://showcase.wsu.eduCelebrating Excellence honors the outstanding achievements of WSU faculty and staff. The newest recipients of the Eminent Faculty Award, the Sahlin Faculty Excellence Awards, the President’s Employee Excellence Awards, the President’s Distinguished Teaching Awards for Non-Tenure Track Faculty, the Emeritus Society Legacy of Excellence Award, the Faculty Diversity Award, the Association for Faculty Women Samuel H. Smith Leadership Award, and the presenter of the Distinguished Faculty Address are honored at this banquet. This year’s newly tenured and promoted faculty, and new patent awardees are also honored during this special evening. Price is $40/person. Please plan to attend and support your colleagues. Please contact University Events at 509-335-4737 or wsuevent@wsu.edu with any questions.

Do you know a state employee or manager who goes above and beyond the call of duty? Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), which will be held this year between May 1-7, 2016, is a national celebration recognizing the contribution of public employees. In the spirit of recognizing exemplary service, the state PSRW Awards Committee is asking the public and fellow employees to nominate state government and higher education staff for two state awards. Each year, the Extra Mile Award is given to individuals or groups of state employees who surpass expectations for Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2016.

Faculty-led Workshop: Writing for Gen. 1.5
Graduate students are invited to join in on a series of workshops designed for teaching and instruction. Offered by the WSU Teaching Academy and Global Campus, these workshop topics present a wide range of relevant topics:

  • March 29: First-generation Students on the College Campus
  • April 21: Establishing a Culture of Academic Integrity

The workshops are free and refreshments provided. Sign up for the sessions held in CUE 518, or the live streamed session. Register for any of the tutorials >> more here.

ESA Pacific Branch meetings are April 3-6, 2016 in Honolulu, HI at the Pacific Beach Hotel.

The first annual Edible Book Festival will take place on Friday, April 8. Public viewing and judging will be begin at 1:30 pm in the Terrell Library Atrium. Awards will be given in the following categories:

  • People’s Choice
  • Most Appetizing
  • Best Visual Presentation
  • Punniest/Funniest

Register to participate by going to:  http://libraries.wsu.edu/news/registration-opens-april-8-edible-book-festival-entries, or plan to come and vote for (and eat!) your favorites.  Registration began March 1.  WSU’s festival begins with public viewing at 1:30 p.m. on April 8, in the Terrell Library atrium. Judging is at 2 p.m., with winners announced at 2:30.  “Celebrity judges” for the event will be Christopher Bruce, director of the WSU Museum of Art; Jamie Kohler, executive pastry chef for WSU Dining Services’ central production unit; Joanna Bailey, director of Pullman’s Neill Public Library; and Sarah Frame English, a WSU alum, donor and librarian with the Libraries of Stevens County (Wash.). Awards will be given for people’s choice, most appetizing, best visual presentation and punniest/funniest. Then it’s all mouths on deck for the feeding frenzy. For questions about registration, entries, event schedule, or other inquiries, please contact Holly Luetkenhaus.

Spring 2016 Commencement will be held Saturday May 7, 2016 at the Beasley Coliseum.  The CAHNRS ceremony begins at 11:30 (lineup is at 11:00am).  Student may register to walk and pick up their cap and gown at the Grad Fair held March 23-24, 2016 in the Lewis Alumni Centre!  Faculty registration begins March 1.

2016 International Congress of Entomology, Sept. 25-30, 2016, Orlando, FL. Website: http://ice2016orlando.org

Entomological Society of America annual meeting will be November 5-8, 2016 in Denver, CO.

To get the latest news and read interesting articles about the world of Entomology here are some interesting websites:

Entomology Today                http://entomologytoday.org/category/entomology-news/

Entomology News                http://www.topix.com/science/entomology

Io9 the Future                     http://io9.gizmodo.com/tag/entomology

The Conversation                 http://theconversation.com/us/topics/entomology

SciTechDaily                         http://scitechdaily.com/tag/entomology/

ScienceDaily                        https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/insects_and_butterflies/

Livescience                          http://www.livescience.com/topics/insect/

Have you visited the WSU Entomology Facebook page Entomology at https://www.facebook.com/wsuentomology?fref=ts?  This page was created for the James Entomology Museum activities, but we can all like and post to the page