News @ ComCol 6/28/07

Join other Commonwealth College freshmen at this special orientation program. Commonwealth College freshmen who participate in this special orientation program have the opportunity to move onto campus on the afternoon of Friday, August 31st!
   Freshmen and their families will attend a Welcome at the Fine Arts Center (registration at the Fine Arts Center begins at 4:00). After the Welcome, there will be an optional parents' reception.
   Following this, the student orientation begins. Students will meet many Commonwealth College students and staff members. They will have the opportunity to participate in many activities; highlights include informational workshops, recreational activities, a scavenger hunt, and a casino night.
   For more detailed information, including specific move-in times, please visit our website or contact us. Friday, August 31, 2007 – Sunday, September 2, 2007 • 4:00 pm Fine Arts Center UMass Amherst Campus Handicap access available Directions & Parking Event web site Contact: Commonwealth College Reception, reception@comcol.umass.edu, 413-545-2483

PRISCILLA M. CLARKSON NAMED PERMANENT DEAN OF COMMONWEATLH COLLEGE AT UMASS AMHERST

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst has named Priscilla M. Clarkson to be the new dean of Commonwealth College, the honors college on the campus. Charlena M. Seymour, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, made the announcement.
   Clarkson has served as interim dean at Commonwealth College since 2006. She was also named Distinguished Professor in March 2007 and was associate dean in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences from 1994-2006 with responsibility for research for the School of Nursing from 2005-06. From 2003-06, Clarkson served as director of the Baystate-UMass Collaborative Biomedical Research Program. She has been a member of the faculty since 1977.
   Seymour says Clarkson is ideally suited to lead Commonwealth College. “Priscilla Clarkson has a long and distinguished history of academic achievement, research and collaboration on the Amherst campus and will bring her experience and skills to this very important academic and administrative post,” Seymour says. “She also has earned three degrees from UMass Amherst and has used them to develop an internationally recognized career as a scientist.”
   Clarkson says she is pleased to accept the appointment and the challenges it presents. “I look forward to working with Commonwealth College’s first-rate staff and faculty to create a new vision that will attract academically talented students from all backgrounds. It is an exciting opportunity to help these highly motivated students develop the scholarship, creativity, citizenship and leadership skills necessary to address the complex problems of society.” To view the rest of the announcement go to the UMass newsoffice.

TEN COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE SENIORS SELECTED AS 21ST CENTURY LEADERS

Ten Commonwealth College seniors will be presented with
21st Century Leader awards during the 137th Commencement on May 26 in McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The awards recognize students who are academically accomplished and who have contributed to the university through exceptional achievement or have enhanced the reputation of the campus. The recipients are nominated by faculty for strong leadership qualities; noteworthy original research; community service; the achievement of success by overcoming extraordinary personal circumstances, or public presentation through art, performance or athletic ability. This is the fifth year the awards have been given. The awards are sponsored by the Chancellor’s Office and the Alumni Association. “The presentation of the senior awards during the undergraduate Commencement is designed to focus the ceremony on the accomplishments of students and to recognize the support they have received from their families,” says Chancellor John V. Lombardi.
   This year’s recipients are:
Amanda Butler-Jones, an Accounting Information Systems and    Legal Studies major from Worcester.
Alina Catrinoiu, a Psychology major from Pittsfield.
Jeffrey Dabkowski, a Microbiology major from
South Deerfield.
George Eppsteiner, a Sport Management and Spanish
major from Framingham.
Aaron Harman, a Psychology and Neuroscience
major from Natick.
Jackson Maina, a Nursing major from Worcester.
Kunal Malhotra, a Political Science and History
major from Fairfax, Va.
Matthew Pearlson, a Chemical Engineering
major from West Stockbridge.
Edward Sweeney, an English and Political Science
major from Seekonk.
Deanna Vasilakis, a Journalism major from Andover.
   The recipients will receive a plaque and a monetary award from the Alumni Association.

COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE CONGRATULATES ITS SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS

   Jimin Ha '08, major: Mathematics, and Emerald Shirley '09, major: Social Thought and Political Theory, each receive a $750 Barbara B. Burn Memorial Scholarship.
    Lauren O'Connell '07 , major: Animal Science, and
Rita Schaffer '07, major: Environmental Science, each receive a $1,000 Cooke Family Scholarship.
   Ashley McNulty '08, major Psychology receives a $1,000 Nancy M. Cullen Scholarship.
   Hiu Cheung '10, major: Business Management; Melissa Hylton '10, major: Sports Management; Dmitriy Tokar '10, majors: Economics and Microbiology, and Swetha Valluri '09, majors; Finance and Mathematics each receive $1,000 Melvin Howard Scholarships.
   Michael Feder '09, major: Sociology and Communication receives $600 Lewenberg Family Scholarship.
   Cheryl Martin '09, major: Hospitality and Tourism Management receives a $2,000 Andy Moes Scholarship.
   Elizabeth Paice '09, majors: Psychology and Political Science receives a $1,000 Rachel and John Morton Honors Scholarship.
   Joseph Czupryna '08, majors: Sports Management and Legal Studies; Lauren Liuzzo '10, major: Psychology; Zachary Simmons '08, majors: History and Economics, and Ryan Durkin '08, majors: Finance and Psychology will each receive a $1,000 Kenneth O'Brien Scholarship.
   Stephen MacLellan '08, major: Political Science and Economics receives a $1,000 James P. Pappas Presidential Scholarship.
   Jean Capone '07, major: Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration in Community Service Learning receives a $1000 Lawrence Payne '77 Scholarship.
   Mary Hunnewell '07, majors: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology receives a Howard H. Quint Memorial Prize in Honors.
   Ivan Bercovich '08, major: Electrical Engineering; Jean Foster '08, major: Chemical Engineering; Emily Keefe '09, major: Sociology; Jacob Margulies '09, major: Nursing; Jill McLaughlin '09, major: Sociology; Lauren Scheiper '09, major: Communication Disorders; Sahil Shanghavi '10, major: Electrical Engineering; Shawna Shappy '09, major: Psychology; Zachary Simmons '08, majors; History and Economics, and Margarite Whitten '09, major: Anthropology will each receive a $1,000 Joseph and Elizabeth Rountree Merit Scholarship.
   Jennifer O'Brien '09, majors: English and Comparative Literature receives a $1,000 David J. Snyder '57 Memorial Scholarship.
   Lauren Daniels '07, majors: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Psychology, and Neuroscience; George Eppsteiner '07, majors: Sports Management and Spanish; Aaron Harman '07, major; Psychology and Neuroscience; Mary Hunnewell '07, majors: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and History; Thomas Lane '07, majors: Bachelors of Fine Arts and Design; Stephanie Millette '07, major: English; Matthew Pearlson '07, major: Chemical Engineering; Holly Straut '07, major: Marketing, and Meghan Murphy '08, majors: Journalism, English and Spanish each receive a $1,000 Class of 1941 Humanitarian Award.
   Lauren Daniels '07, majors: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Psychology, and Neuroscience; Jenette Lane '07, major: Animal Science; Thomas Lane '07, major: Bachelor of Fine Arts and Design; Lauren O'Connell '07, major: Animal Science; Matthew Pearlson '07, major: Chemical Engineering, and Jillian Prendergast '07, majors Biochemistry and Molecular Biology each receive $500 Honors Dean's Award.
   For more information on each scholarship please visit Commonwealth College's Scholarship page.

COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE'S TOME AWARDED $4,500 IN GRANTS TO ESTABLISH NEW COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING COURSE

Commonwealth College is proud to announce that one of its own, Daniel Fidalgo Tome, Undegraduate Research Conference Coordinator, has been awarded a $3,000 grant by the Faculty Senate's General Education Council. $1,500 of this amount will be matched by the Office of Community Service Learning (OCSL) to establish a 1 credit course (15 contact hours) that would better prepare CSL students for work within diverse communities. Click Link for full pdf press release.

HOMETOWN NEWS FORM

Commonwealth College would like to send a news release about your awards and achievements to your hometown newspaper. Please fill out this form completely, and then mail, fax or email it to our office. We will write and distribute a news release.

Announcements & Activities

COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE'S DANIEL TORRES AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS COLLEGE OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES ANSIN STUDY ABROAD FELLOWSHIP

Daniel is currently completing his Commonwealth College Capstone which includes a requirement to study abroad. SBS' award provides Daniel with the funding needed to complete his thesis requirement and graduate with Commonwealth College honors this fall. To view more details about the award and Daniel's studies go to SBS' website.

DEAN CLARKSON AWARDED FIRST INTERDISCIPLINARY POSTDOCTORAL GRANT BY THE APOPTOSIS RESEARCH CENTER

The Center of Excellence in Apoptosis Research (CEAR) interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellows program has awarded a grant to faculty members Todd Emrick, Polymer Science and Engineering, and Priscilla Clarkson, Kinesiology. Their project is “Novel polymers for transfection of myoblasts and myotubes: Development of new tools for treatment of muscular dystrophy.” To read more click link.

ADVISING APPOINTMENT CHANGES

Advising at Commonwealth College has converted to an appointment system year-round.
- Walk-in advising will no longer be available during Pre-Reg
and Add/Drop
- Standard appointments will be 30 minutes throughout the year
(20 minutes during Add/Drop)
- Same day appointments may be scheduled if there are
openings available with an advisor
Please plan ahead to ensure that your needs are met. To schedule an appointment, call our appointment desk at
(413)545-2483.

Academic Opportunities

DEAN'S BOOK COURSE TO READ TERROR IN THE NAME OF GOD

Senior Dean's Readers chose Jessica Stern's Terror in the Name of God as this fall's DBC book selection. The fourteen capstone seminar students made the choice because Stern’s first-hand interviews with both US and foreign religious extremists offer such powerful insights into today’s pressing issues.
Dr. Stern will speak on the evening of Oct. 15. Her visit will be preceded by a series of related films and a symposium on "Freeing Ourselves from Fear: Understanding Terrorism," featuring experts on the topic from the UMass faculty. All events will be sponsored by Commonwealth College and open to the campus community.
DBC classes begin the second week of the semester, allowing students to use the first as a reading week to complete the book and prepare for class. Terror in the Name of God is on order at Amherst Books, 8 Main St, Amherst. It can be purchased at the store or from Amherst Books online. See the DBC website for more course information.

TWO COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING COURSE OPPORTUNTIES INCLUDING ONE THROUGH DEAN'S BOOK COURSE

Attention Students:
Do want to give back to the community? Are you in Commonwealth College?
Consider taking this two in one Dean’s book course!
The Dean’s Book Community Service Learning class, or CSL Dean’s book, is a 3-credit course that combines 291D and 391D along with a community service component. You must have junior status or above to be eligible for the 391S class. In addition to reading Terror in the Name of God, by Jessica Stern, students in this course will also read Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri, in addition to performing 20 hours of community service based on the themes from the book.
If you would like to apply for the course, either stop by 610 Goodell to pick up an application, or download it at:
www.comcol.umass.edu/academics/deansbookcourse/specialsections.html.
Please contact the community service coordinator, Annalee Locke, at CSLdeansbook@comcol.umass.edu with any questions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling admission basis so the sooner you apply the better your chances are of getting into the class.

CAPSTONE COURSES - FALL 2007

If you aren't planning to do an individual thesis or project next year, consider one of the capstone courses that will fulfill the Commonwealth College capstone requirement. A number of capstone courses being offered in the fall still have open seats. They include a wide variety of interest areas such as the Samurai, script writing, bioterrorism, ethnography, creative writing, indigenous peoples, literature, interdisciplinary information technology applications, and historical perspectives. A listing of capstone course titles and scheduling information is provided below. For course descriptions, please visit the Honors Course Guide at www.comcol.umass.edu/courses, where you'll also find instructor contact information or click the direct link to the CE course descriptions.

NEW COURSE ON FOOD SECURITY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

This new course introduces students to community service learning - an approach to your own education that you can use throughout your college career and beyond. Through readings, interviews, discussions, and (most of all) community experiences we will experiment with how to learn in and from the community, and how to be of service to the community.
The issue of “food security” offers many paths to understanding people and communities. We will be talking to people in this field, looking at topics ranging from hunger, nutrition education, and saving local farmland, to organic agriculture, community gardening, and emergency food distribution. At the heart of your course experience will be your choice of a placement in a community agency or organization, where you will spend time each week learning and working on food security issues.
Course Info: H292, Engaging with the Community: An Introduction to Community Service Learning, Fall 07, 4 credits, Meets Tuesday (1:00 - 3:45) and Thursday (1:00-2:15), For more information or to pre-register, contact Will Snyder at UMass Extension: 413-545-3876 or by email: wsnyder@umext.umass.edu

SUMMER 2007 CLASSES

Commonwealth College will be offering several Interdisciplinary honors courses, as well as sections of the Dean's Book Course, during summer 2007.
Session II, July 16-August 22: Honors 191D, 291D, 391D, Dean's Book Course.

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COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Commonwealth College provides many different scholarship opportunities, applications are usually due in the early spring. Please visit the financial support section of our website for more information.

OFFICE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION ADVISEMENT (ONSA)

The office of National Scholarship Advisement is located in Commonwealth College. Application and contact information is available on our websit. Please visit www.comcol.umass.edu/academics/onsa/ or e-mail Shirley Archambault.

Internships

OFFICE OF NEWS & INFORMATION: STUDENT INTERNSHIP

Student Internship Interns develop a variety of skills while working with communication professionals who promote the achievements of UMass Amherst, explain its policies and enhance recognition of its accomplishments as a national research institution and the state's flagship public university. Through an internal communications program and cultivation of local, regional and national media, the Office shares information in a timely and accurate manner, leveraging the latest technologies. In collaboration with other campus communicators, our results offer points of pride vital to the success of fund-raising and student recruitment strategies, and create the foundation for improved alumni, legislative and community relations. Interns work at least 15 hours per week, and with approval of the Field Experience Program can earn academic credit. Internships can also emphasize a particular disciplinary interest, such as Science Writing and Communications.
For more information: www.umass.edu/newsoffice/studentjobs or Contact: Ed Blaguszewski, Office of News and Information, 200 Munson Hall. Call 413/545-0444, or e-mail edblag@admin.umass.edu.

THE AMHERST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS RECRUITING STUDENT INTERNS FOR THE FALL SEMESTER

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce is a fast paced, centrally located visitor's center, which also functions as a networking hub for the area's local businesses. We provide referral services and information by phone, printed publications and website. We sponsor special events, develop tourism to the area, work with schools, town government, provide counseling and resources to the business community and develop programs for our members and the business community at large.
   Interns are a prominent part of the Chamber's day-to-day activities. They are responsible for answering phones, meeting and greeting guests, updating website listings, printing out and putting together packets for members and the general public, assisting with events, and general office work. Depending on the individual intern's interests and skills, special projects may be assigned such as compiling data, creating signage, surveys, postering, etc. Tasks vary daily. Projects will be focused on tourism development, economic development and membership benefits. Students with interests in public relations, communications, marketing or organizational development are encouraged to apply.
    Requirements: 1. Resume, coverletter 2. Basic familiarity with computers and MS Office programs (especially Word, Excel, Outlook, etc). 3. Good people skills 4. Minimum of 8 hours per week required. This could be a full or part time position.
   Contact Donna at 413-253-0700 or email: officemanager@amherstarea.com. For more information on the Amherst Chamber of Commerce visit:www.amherstarea.com

OFFICE OF NEWS & INFORMATION: STUDENT INTERNSHIP

RSO INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXPERIENCE(ICE) SEEKING TO FILL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

International Cultural Experience (ICE) is an RSO that facilitates interaction among students from different cultures. ICE is currently recruiting outgoing and competent leaders to fill positions for for the 2007-2008 academic year. Interested candidates should send an email to ice@stuaf.umass.edu stating what they feel qualifies them for a leadership position.

DOES YOUR STUDENT GROUP NEED $$$$$?

The UMass Amherst Alumni Association provides grants to RSO's and other student organizations to help fund projects that will improve and enhance student life. Awards are limited to $2,000 per applicant group per academic year.
Visit www.UMassAlumni.com for an application and grant guidelines today! Or contact the Alumni Association at 545-2317 for more information.

DOESN'T MASSACHUSETTS DESERVE THE FINEST EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY

Massachusetts invented the idea of universal public education, but doesn't adequately fund our public colleges. It’s shameful that… 1) Massachusetts spends more jailing its citizens than on its public colleges and universities. 2) 40% of Massachusetts families would need to spend half their income to pay public 4-year college tuition. 3) Massachusetts spends only $3 per capita on public higher education; New Hampshire is the only state that spends less.
Now is the time to wake up the sleeping giant of Massachusetts politics -- the 500,000 people who make up the Massachusetts public higher education community -- and get the resources to create the public higher education system we and our children deserve. For more information visit PHENOM's website.

Employment

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PARTNERSHIP COORDINATORS/AMERICOPRS*VISTA POSITIONS AVAILABLE ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS

Facilitate change in higher education and become a life-long leader, join a diverse group of individuals committed to civic engagement, gain experience and skills with faculty, staff, students and community partners. For more information open up attached pdf or visit www.americorps.gov.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNTIES

PEER MENTOR POSITION: Peer Mentors are undergraduate students who live-in first year residence halls and assist first year students with their transition into college. Amongst other aspects of their job, Peer Mentors work closely with students to help them find academic resources throughout the university. The Peer Mentor application packet and recruitment info can be found at http://www.housing.umass.edu/employ/peer_mentors.html

APARTMENT LIVING ADVISOR POSITION: Apartment Living Advisors (ALAs) are live-in, part-time, student staff members in the North apartment buildings. ALAs are community leaders, educators, counselors, friends, change agents, advisors, policy enforcers, and team players. This position is very similar to the RA position. More info about the ALA position can be found at http://www.housing.umass.edu/employ/ala_selection.html