The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 12, No. 6  December 13, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Dr. K. C. Olson to Join Animal Sciences and Industry Department
...Last Chance!
...2005 Sustainable Community Awards Program
...Agriculture Effective Instruction Workshop: "Making Connections Between Students and Instructors"
...Seminar/Short Course on Renewable Energy Technologies Held in January
...On-Campus Distribution of New K-State Faculty and Staff ID Cards
...Check Your Roster Information Now
...Benefits Confirmation Statements Available
...Attention..Attention..Attention..the Holidays are Coming
...University and Oznet Server Maintenance December 27-29
...Upcoming Office Closings
...Publication Cancelled
...Computer for Sale
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives

WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
This week I want to focus your attention to a very recent white paper put out by Provost Duane Nellis on "Enhancing K-State's Position Nationally as an Engaged University."  The initiative set forth is one of engaging the broader University more fully in the outreach mission of Kansas State University. The expertise of faculty and interest of students is a compelling reason for Kansas State University to embark upon a renewed and strengthened initiative towards excellence in engagement with the people of Kansas.

Historically, the perception has been that Cooperative Extension had the sole proprietary function of outreach from Kansas State University. I suggest that to be a perception in that with over 1,500 faculty, another 1,500 unclassified professionals, nearly 2,500 graduate students, and 18,500 undergraduate students, there have always been projects and programs initiated out of the wider campus in pursuit of further learning through engagement with communities of interest and place across Kansas. Additionally, K- State Research and Extension faculty have partnered effectively with faculty across the campus to bring the most relevant and current knowledge to bear on critical issues facing our state and nation. K-State has had a long history of some outstanding student-centered learning opportunities with communities, organizations, agencies, and private interests.

The Provost's initiative is truly about strengthening the understanding and recognition of faculty contributions to scholarship through community engagement and co-learning experiences. He believes that such experiences will enhance and strengthen both the teaching and research quality of the K-State faculty. This isn't about "service," but rather about Kansas State University being recognized as an institution engaged with the people of Kansas in solving issues of this state holistically, and about the increased quality and relevance of the teaching and research missions of the broader campus being positively affected through enhanced engagement with the people of Kansas.

As we embark on this initiative, K-State Research and Extension will be an active participant. Our knowledge and experience in outreach, technology transfer, and Extension education will provide role models to the broader campus. Through dialogue and communication, we can help to shape the culture and respect for the scholarship of engagement. Through enhanced partnering we can have a positive influence on the teaching and research missions of Kansas State University, and provide a greater benefit to people of this great state. Stay tuned for further developments. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu

LAST CHANCE!
This is the last week for registration for the upcoming L*I*F*E In The Fast Lane training, January 10-12, at Rock Springs 4-H Center. Registrations must be in by Friday, December 16!!

L*I*F*E will provide you opportunities to have hands-on training for teaching youth development programs. Sessions will provide practice sessions in animal science, foods and nutrition, arts and craft, leadership, and bullying and diversity while focusing on the experiential learning model. Anyone who works in youth development programming needs to be at this training!

For more information, visit the Kansas 4-H Website under "What's Hot." See you in January! --Shawna Mitchell smitchel@oznet.ksu.edu , Amy Gerdes agerdes@oznet.ksu.edu

SEMINAR/SHORT COURSE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES HELD IN JANUARY A seminar/short course at KSU about the Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Options of Renewable Energy Technologies, CHE 650, will be held January 4-6, 2006, for possible one hour undergraduate or graduate credit. For details, contact Dr. Larry Erickson, lerick@ksu.edu , or Division of Continuing Education website, www.dce.ksu.edu/Intersession , phone 800-432-8222. --Pat Murphy jmurphy@ksu.edu

ON-CAMPUS DISTRIBUTION OF NEW K-STATE FACULTY AND STAFF ID CARDS
On-campus distribution of new Kansas State University faculty and staff identification cards will begin December 19. The new cards, using photos already on file, can be picked up from 7 a.m. through 5 p.m. in the Cottonwood Room, second floor of the K-State Student Union.

You will only be able to receive your new ID card on the day you are assigned. If you are not able to pick up your new ID card on your assigned day, you will need to wait until January 3, when you may pick up your new card at the ID Center on the first floor of the K-State Student Union. There is no charge; however, you must show a photo ID in order to receive your new card. Your current K-State ID, a driver's license, or other photo ID will be accepted.

Extension agents who visited the ID Center during Annual Conference and updated or confirmed their information will receive their card in the mail. These will be mailed beginning December 19.

The effective date for use of new ID cards for faculty and staff will be January 3. Until that date, please continue to use your current K-State ID card.

For any questions, please contact Craig Johnson, Director of the ID Center, at 785-532-6399.

CHECK YOUR ROSTER INFORMATION NOW
Please review your department/unit listing in the online K-State Research and Extension directory, http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/roster.htm , or use the link under Staff Corner on the K-State Research and Extension Website. If your listing is incorrect or will be changing soon, please notify your unit's office professional by December 20. It is more efficient to have changes compiled by unit than sent individually.

We will be printing new directories for distribution at the annual partnership meetings in mid-January. --Gloria Holcombe gloria@oznet.ksu.edu

BENEFITS CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS AVAILABLE
2006 health insurance/KanElect confirmation statements are now available at the State of Kansas self service center at http://www.accesskansas.org/employee . Log in to the self service center to view your open enrollment elections for plan year 2006, which begins January 1, 2006. You will need to change your password by using the "forgot password" feature.

Any changes occurring after the open enrollment period (October 1 - October 31, 2005) will not be displayed on the confirmation statement.

Questions should be addressed to Ms. R. J. Steelsmith, Division of Human Resources, at 785-532-6277. --Division of Human Resources

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