JSC President Barbara E. Murphy

Nov. 6, 2009

Dear Faculty and Staff,

It’s hard to believe that it’s been four months since my last newsletter to faculty and staff – yet another indication of what the busy late summer and fall we’ve all had at JSC. I’m now back on track to write an informal, biweekly update, so be on the watch.

Another Great SERVE Event
This morning’s Coral Reef Run/Walk went off without a hitch – and thankfully the rain (and now the snow) even held off till now. It was nice to see all the students and staff, some in costume, as they made their way back to campus. SERVE has had quite an impact in our community this fall and set an example for us all. Students and staff are to be commended for their great work.

‘The Trojan Women’ Continues Through Saturday
Congratulations to Director Russ Longtin and the talented crew of students and staff behind the Theatre Department’s first production of the year. There’s still time to catch the students’ moving, heartfelt performance of Euripides’ classic play – tonight and tomorrow, both at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Admissions Open House Tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 7)
Thanks to all the faculty and staff who are pitching in to help with the 2nd Open House hosted by Admissions this fall. With nearly 300 people signed up to attend as of Friday morning, it promises to be another great success. Kudos to the Admissions team for all their hard work.

SHAPE Open House on Monday, Nov. 9
Please join us this Monday afternoon, starting at 3:30, for a “grand reopening” celebration of SHAPE. We’ll have an official ribbon-cutting with VSC Chancellor Tim Donovan and others. State and local officials have been invited, there will plenty of refreshments and activities.

October Report to Board of Trustees Online
A reminder that I prepare a written report summarizing happenings at JSC for each meeting of the VSC Board of Trustees. (With a few exceptions, including November, the trustees meet monthly.) These reports are posted on the date of each meeting at http://www.jsc.edu/WhoWeAre/InitiativesAndReports/BoardofTrusteesReports.aspx. The October report contains a particularly impressive summary of recent activities and accomplishments of our faculty and staff. We are indeed fortunate to have co-workers who are so committed to and engaged in their communities, both professional and personal.

Home Game Opener for JSC Hoops -- Sunday, Nov. 15!
Cheer on the Badgers at the opening game of the Men’s Varsity Basketball season next Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. JSC takes on Daniel Webster College of Nashua, NH -- and gives our new varsity gym its first workout of the year in the process!

JSC in the News
Watershed Research Story Scheduled to Run on Monday (11/9): WCAX/Channel 3 was on campus a couple weeks ago working on a piece about the Lamoille River watershed research being conducted by JSC students and the growing culture of research at JSC in general. That story is tentatively scheduled to air this Monday on the evening news (6 -7 p.m.). Tune in!

Animal Care Facility: News of this summer’s shutdown of our former animal care and use facility in Bentley Hall and the administrative leave of its caretaker, Prof. John Wrazen, was reported on WCAX Wednesday evening, Nov. 4th. (It’s worth noting that the story was reported in the first Basement Medicine of the semester but only now gained the interest of the local media.) The facts of the situation as reported by WCAX are largely accurate. We are cooperating with the Department of Fish & Wildlife and the other agencies investigating this matter and hope for a speedy resolution for all concerned. Meanwhile, the programs of our Environmental & Health Sciences division remain as strong as ever, due in no small part to our outstanding faculty and their commitment to JSC students.

Flu Update
The College has been distributing the H1N1 nasal vaccine to students. A limited number of doses remain available, and a further clinic for students is planned in the next week.

What Happened to the Water Coolers?
Apologies to those who were caught off guard by the removal of the spring water and coolers throughout campus last week. The decision to not renew our contract when it expired this year was made with department heads during the budget process last spring, as costs were going up and would be prohibitive. We decided that individual departments would be free to set up and pay for their own contracts, but the general operating budget would no longer absorb this cost. When the contract ended a couple of weeks ago, the vendor removed the cooler and jugs without notifying us in advance.

As Ever…
Your comments and questions are welcome. I hope you are all finding time to enjoy the changing seasons – and staying healthy!