As you may know, Chris Popoola stepped down as President of Staff Council due to health concerns. We all wish her well.

According to Staff Council bylaws, a vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice President for the unexpired term. Having served as Vice President, I now have the honor of serving as President of Staff Council and want to thank everyone for their support as I take on this responsibility.

At the October 13^th Staff Council meeting, a special election was held to fill the vacant Vice President position and to elect a delegate and alternate to Staff Assembly.  I am pleased to announce that Kim Jones was elected as Vice President of Staff Council, Jackie McInturff as Delegate to Staff Assembly and Carol Carpenter-Stoudt as Staff Assembly Alternate.

In my message at the Fall Open Meeting for faculty and staff on August 24th, I requested the support of Deans, Chairs, Directors, and Supervisors in encouraging the SPA and EPA non-teaching employees in their areas to attend Staff Council meetings. I am also requesting your help. If you cannot attend a meeting, please be sure to send an alternate representative from your area. Encourage departments in your building to participate in Staff Council if they do not already have representation. The Officers of Staff Council and Membership Committee will do all they can to strive for 100% representation of all departments/areas on campus, but we need your help too. Remember, in numbers we have strength, and together we can do great things!

Marlena Van Vliet
Staff Council President

Message from the Chancellor's Office

Managing the budget shortfall has been occupying much of our time since the General Assembly adjourned this summer. Because of reduced revenues to the State,Appalachian's appropriated dollars were reduced by the General Assembly by 5.2% or$7,344,000. Later, Governor Perdue issued an executive order withholding an additional 5%or $7,344,000 from our 09-10 budget. Thus, Appalachian’s state budget has been reduced this year by $15.2million.

How have we handled these cuts? From the beginning, we worked to first protect the core mission of the university and only cut faculty or academic programs as a lastresort.We carefully reviewed funding for centers and institutes, what savings could be realized from more efficient operations, and analyzed the number of middle management positions at the university. The most recent data available shows that Appalachian has the highest ratio of faculty to administrators in the UNC System and the second lowest management costs per FTE student in the system. Although there are no salary increases this year,there are no plans at this time to implement layoffs or furloughs either.

While this is a difficult time for Appalachian and the State, we are starting to see some small signs of recovery. On a personal note, I will be retiring at the end of the year and I want to thank all of the staff of the University for your good work and can-do attitude. I have enjoyed working with all of you.

Lorin A. Baumhover, Ph.D.
Chief of Staff

Latest Volunteer Opportunity!

AppKIDS Shopping Day November 13, 2009

The 29th Annual AppKIDS (formerly Children’s) Shopping Day will be Friday, November 13. Staff Council works all year to organize this event to help make the upcoming holidays brighten for 88 financially needy children from Watauga County schools.

ASU employees volunteer time and donate toward the annual shopping day. Community Service Leave is allowed. Employees called “shoppers” spend the school day escorting assigned children around Boone to spend donated funds for the children’s necessities like coats, hats, boots, and gloves. Employee “drivers” pick up children at school and bringing them to the Broyhill Inn on the morning of the shopping day for breakfast and to meet their “shoppers.”

We Need:
Volunteer Drivers - one hour to pick up a group of children from school that morning
Volunteer Shoppers - all-day as shopper-mentor with a youth or a child

To Volunteer, please contact Cathy Ziegler by email at zieglercc@appstate.edu

Envelopes are going to all departments to give faculty and staff an opportunity to donate toward this worthwhile event. Donations are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to: ASU Staff Council, c/o Tami Johnson, Parking & Traffic, River Street Deck before Tuesday, November 3.

For more information:  Contact Laura Young, x2204, younglv@appstate.edu (AppKIDS, Co-Chair) or Cathy Ziegler, x4090, zieglercc@appstate.edu (AppKIDS, Co-Chair)

Thank you for your participation and support in this worthwhile project.  Together, we can make a difference!

Staff Profile:  Cecilia Brown

Cecilia Brown is the Administrative Support Associate for the Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs, comprised of over 40 staff members.  Those who visit the second floor of University Hall, located off-campus behind Staples, know the vibrant Cecilia as the “voice” and “face” of the department. 

In supporting the division, Cecilia gets the opportunity to assist with Extension and Distance Education, Summer Programs, and Conferences & Institutes.  A favorite aspect of her job is to provide service to non-traditional students, Senior Scholars, and those who attend Appalachian State through off-campus programs.  She feels that these departments provide immense growth potential for the University as a whole and is pleased to be a part of them.

Cecilia has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 39 years.  They live in Boone and have two wonderful grown children, Celine Ellison (whose husband Kenny is also Cecilia’s “own”) and Daniel Brown.  She has the pleasure of being a loving grandmother or “CeCe” to Porter - 9, John Steven – 7, and Ben – 3.  When she is not spoiling the grandchildren, Cecilia enjoys tending her flower garden, fishing, and shopping.  She is also an active member of Greenway Baptist Church.  However, her favorite pastime is spending time with her family and friends. 

Five years from now, Cecilia hopes to be retired and relishing the extra time with her loved ones and pets.  She plans to travel whenever possible, especially to places that are warm and quiet.  For now, the Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs is lucky and proud to be represented by Cecilia Brown.

Feature Article:  Services at ASU's Institute for Health and Human Services

A variety of clinical services are offered through the Institute for Health and Human Services at a relatively low cost. Located in University Hall on University Hall Drive off Route 321, there is easy access to client parking, and all services are confidential. For more information, call 828-262-7675. http://www.ihhs.appstate.edu/

The Charles E. and Geneva S. Scott Scottish Rite Communication Disorders Clinic provides prevention, assessment, and treatment of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders, serving people from infancy to geriatrics. For services or information, contact the Clinic at 828-262-2185. http://www.cdclinic.appstate.edu/

The ASU Psychology Clinic offers a full range of assessment and treatment services for children, adolescents, and adults with concerns about learning difficulties, ADHD,stress, anxiety and other psychological disorders. Call 828-262-6639. http://www.psychclinic.appstate.edu/

The Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic provides diagnosis and psychotherapeutic services to families, couples, individuals, and groups for a wide variety of problems within the context of marriage and family systems. Call 828-262-7703.

Social Work Services can help with coordinating and arranging services to address basic needs including housing, food, finances, insurance, education, and transportation. Call 828-262-7907.

ASC (Assessment, Support, and Counseling) Center at Watauga High School. General mental health and behavioral support services are available for Watauga High School students through a partnership between ASU's Institute for Health and Human Services and Watauga County Schools. Parents, school counselors, social workers, administrators, and students themselves may make referrals. For more information, contact Dr. Kurt Michael at 828-262-7686.

Good to Know

Remembering Thomas Dedge   1970-2009

It is with fondness and a smile that I will remember Thomas.
He was always willing to lend a hand or a kind word to anyone.
He went the extra mile, above and beyond being just someone you know.

I will remember his laughter and fun side, his dancing feet and singing voice.
He enjoyed life to the fullest, giving each day the best that he could give.
He would want to be remembered as a kind, wise soul who treated his friends like family.

He would want everyone to know he loved them and he's ok.

I will remember Thomas as a teacher, confidant, partner, and friend.
Thank you Thomas for blessing so many people and letting us share your life. May you rest in peace. 
May you allow yourself to lie down and listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock your soul.

Submitted by Jackie McInturff

Staff Corner - Who's New, Who's transferred