Discover the splendors of Russia this summer

An Information session for BU’s Russia Summer Study Abroad program will be held Monday, Feb. 13, at 3 p.m. in Bakeless Center 316B. Program leaders will discuss the benefits of the four-week program and hand out scholarship applications, as well as answer any questions about this international opportunity.

Take your BU experience global by living the arts, immersing in the culture and studying the language, history and traditions of some of the most desired destinations in the world through summer study abroad. Still deciding? Let a few past study abroad students convince you why this international experience is a can't miss opportunity.

Taking the blinders off

Spring semester has arrived, and flowers are about to bloom. Why is now an ideal time to start thinking about a minor? Robert Marande, dean of the College of Science and Technology, explains why it's important for students to expand their academic interests to effectively transition into other areas after graduation.

CPEC Job and Internship Fair

Approximately 60-plus employers are expected to be on-hand to speak with candidates about various internships and jobs upon graduation at the CPEC JOB and Internship Fair on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Radisson Hotel in Harrisburg. The Career Development Center is sponsoring a shuttle for students needing transportation. Students should stop by the office, SSC 201, for registration and shuttle information. Contact Jeanne Fitzgerald, interim director of the CDC, at (570) 389-4070 for more information.

No Valentine … No Problem

Phi Beta Sigma will hold a Valentine’s Day Edition of Speed Dating on Monday, Feb. 13, at 7:14 p.m. in the KUB Ballroom. This is a game event where a series of questions are asked of our guest and they answer them to the aligned partner across the table. This will give students a chance to find their special Valentine. Small snacks and refreshments will be provided.

What’s the big deal about The Big Event?

The Big Event, a single-day community service project sponsored by the Community Government Association (CGA), will be held on Thursday, March 31, throughout Bloomsburg and neighboring communities. The Big Event gives BU students the opportunity to say, “Thank you’ to Bloomsburg area residents by going out and completing various tasks, such as raking leaves, weeding, painting, etc. at the homes of the townspeople who chose to participate. As students, we must remember we are temporary visitors in a community of permanent residents. The Big Event needs individuals, groups, clubs, organizations, etc., willing to give one day to help give back to our local community. Interested students and groups can pick up registration forms here!

A simple equation: Family=Love

To help celebrate Valentine’s Day a reception will be held for the Family=Love project, an exhibit of photos and statements about local families to include a number of BU faculty and staff. The reception, open free to the public, will be held Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Moose Exchange, 203 W. Main St. The project will be on view at the Moose through February, then at the KUB Multicultural Center through April.

Health Center offering tuberculosis screenings

BU’s Student Health Center is sponsoring a Tuberculosis Screening Test (TST) Clinic on Monday, Feb. 13, from noon to 5 p.m. in KUB 340 (near the KUB main desk). The results will then be read on Wednesday, Feb. 15 in KUB 343. Cost is $10 (cash or check ONLY), no appointments necessary. Students must bring their BU student ID. Any students who will student teach or work directly with clients in schools, hospitals, day care centers, medical clinics, therapeutic clinics in fall 2012 should have a TST this spring.

Join the walk of art

An Art Walk-In will be held at the Moose Exchange on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. Join more than 30 artists under one roof for music, food, bowling and fun. The Exchange is located at 203 W. Main St., Bloomsburg.

Show off your talent

Show off your talent with Open Mic Night on Friday, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m. in the KUB Fireside Lounge. Only 10 spots are available on a first come basis. Sign up at the KUB main desk. Call (570) 389-4346 for more information.

PCM invites community to Winterfest Banquet

BU’s Protestant Campus Ministry is holding its first Winterfest Banquet on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. in the KUB Ballroom, featuring music by the Martin Davis Band. Added entertainment provided by PCM students, as they welcome Pastor Mike Jarrett as the keynote speaker. Jarrell will present, “Risk-Taking and Spiritual Growth.” A workshop led by Jarrell will be offered at 4 p.m. Tickets to the banquet are $18 for nonstudents and $12 for students from any school. A whole table for eight can be reserved for $120. Contact Maggie Gillespie at (570) 389-4950 to make a reservation.

Go back stage with the concert committee

BU's Student Concert Committee is now accepting applications — Kehr Union Information Desk by Monday, Feb. 20, at 4 p.m. — for students with a knowledge and passion for different genres of music. The concert committee requires students to be in a good academic standing and available to attend weekly meetings. The job description includes organizing and planning concerts on campus, maintaining social networking sites, surveying the student body to gather information for future concerts, and working the concert days.

Get ready for the GRE

BU will be hosting two computerized practice GRE sessions for students getting ready to apply for graduate school. Registration begins Monday, Feb. 6, for practice exams on Saturday Feb. 25, and Saturday, April 14. Enrollment is limited, and participants must be registered to attend the exam sessions. Registration ($10 cash only per test) is available for the GRE Prep Program on Tuesdays, from 11 a.m. to noon and 2 to 3 p.m.; and Thursdays, from 2 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m., in McCormick Center 2155. Registration ($10 cash only per test) is available for the GRE Prep Program Study Groups on Mondays, from 5 to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, from 5 to 6 p.m.; and Thursdays, from 5 to 6 p.m. in McCormick Center 2149. All majors are welcome to participate.

Free GRE preparation available — BU is offering free GRE preparation for students, staff and alumni beginning Monday, Feb. 6 through April 19 on the verbal and quantitative sections. Free one-on-one tutoring is also available. Group study sessions will be held in McCormick Center 2149 on Mondays and Wednesdays, 5 to 6 p.m., for quantitative section reviews and on Tuesdays, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., and Thursdays, 5 to 6 p.m., for verbal section reviews. Contact Jennifer Johnson at (570) 389-4635 for more information.

Now THIS is how government works

George Specht, a junior political economics major, is one of 14 PASSHE students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program this spring. Specht is getting the opportunity to work in all areas of state government while earning a full semester’s worth of credits. Specifically, he is working for the state House of Representatives Speaker Sam Smith, R-Jefferson, for the next 15 weeks. Additionally, he and the other participating students will attend several academic seminars and complete an individualized research project.

More than 500 students have participated in THIS since the program began in 1989, each gaining valuable insight into the workings of state government at the policy-making level. Interns have worked with dozens of state agencies, as well as in the offices of the governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the attorney general. To apply for next year’s THIS opportunity contact Sheng Ding, associate professor of political science, at (570) 389-4336 by Friday, Feb. 17.

Shift the spring semester into gear with a blessing

BU’s Office of Minority Affairs is hosting Martin Harris, Sr., pastor of F.O.C.U.S. Young Adult Ministry at Bethel Deliverance International in Philadelphia for an on-campus church visit on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 10:45 a.m. in the KUB Multicultural Center. Free breakfast at 10:30 a.m. Get prayed up for a great spring semester! Contact Marcei Woods at (570) 389-4091 for more information.

Comedy Night featuring Ryan Reiss

Ryan Reiss will bring his wit and humor to the KUB Ballroom on Friday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. Reiss’s quick wit, instant likability and unique way of engaging any audience have made him one of the most sought after comedians at the New York Clubs. Reiss can be seen daily entertaining Fox studio audiences for the M&J Moring Show, Huckabee, Fox and Friends. When not performing live, Reiss has hosted WE’s hit series Three Mean and Chick Flick, MTV’s TRL and the Howard Stern Show. This CGA-sponsored event is free with a paid Spring Community Activities fee and $3 for others.

Sculpting the perfect Valentine’s Day

Lanny Lee returns to campus on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering free balloon sculptures in the main KUB lobby as part of the Valentine’s Day celebration. One sculpture per student; free with a valid BU student ID. Lee’s visit is presented by the Program Board and sponsored by the CGA.

Happy Valentine’s Movie Show — Love and Basketball, 9 p.m., KUB Hideaway. Free chocolate candy or free flower for the first 50 students.

Giving the perfect gift

BU will be hosting its first campus blood drive of the spring semester on Tuesday, Feb. 14, and Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 1 to 7 p.m., in the KUB Ballroom. All donors will be able to enter for a chance to win a vacation giveaway — a trip to Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head, S.C. — through the American Red Cross. Students interested in volunteering for the blood drive can contact student activities at (570) 389-5151. Donors can make an appointment at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767.

Get a closer look at sorority life

Registration is now open for Panhellenic sorority recruitment. Women interested in joining one of the 10 Panhellenic sororities can get more information by visiting the recruitment table in the KUB main lobby (between the Information Desk and Husky Lounge) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Women interested in participating in formal recruitment must be undergraduates enrolled at BU for the spring 2012 semester.

They must also have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and 12 completed credits. The recruitment calendar for all Greek organizations will be updated regularly.

A discussion on educator accountability

Thomas Starmack, associate professor of Education Studies and Secondary Education, will be hosting a series of three educational seminars throughout the semester. Titled “Educator Accountability in a Standards Aligned System,” Starmack plans to discuss specific topics that impact Pennsylvania educators. The three seminars, beginning on Monday, Feb. 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in McCormick 2303, will be held in the same room and time.

The first seminar presentation is the “Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards Aligned System: Navigating the SAS including Tools for Teachers.” On March 19, Starmack’s second seminar is “PDE’s New Educator Evaluation Rating System and Rubric.” Monday, Apr. 23, his last presentation is “Teacher Accountability a Principals Perspective,” featuring a panel of regional principals.

The seminars are open to all education majors, faculty members, and anyone else interested. Starmack’s main purpose is to provide extended opportunities for a more depth of knowledge on the Pennsylvania education system. Seating is first come, first serve.
, associate professor of physics and engineering technology and CSA's adviser.

Spend the summer with Quest and get paid

BU's Quest is hiring Adventure Camp staff for this summer with academic Internships available. Quest's summer adventure camps are the most outdoor oriented, active, adventure camps in the region. Quest conducts several youth adventure camps for different age groups from ages 6 up to 18 with different adventure themes. Contact Quest or call (570) 389-4323 for more information.

SAP refresher course available to BU staff

Two sessions of SAP Requisitioners is being offered on the new processes, functionality and selected refresher topics as well as procure-to-pay process updates. These sessions will be held in Andruss Library’s Schweiker Room on Monday, Feb. 13, and Thursday, Feb. 16, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Contact stgapurc@bloomu.edu to confirm your attendance.

New location brings new adventures for campus preschoolers

With a new location, BU’s Campus Child Center preschool is enjoying student-driven learning centers such as block play, trains, computer, writing, discovery, creative arts, dramatic plays and a rice table. Since moving to Montour Hall in December, the preschool — led by Nicole Cappello — has taken advantage of its new home to allow students to have a choice in their learning, which increases their motivation and involvement. The child center will soon be working with Mary Katherine Duncan, professor of psychology, using the resources of the
Toy Library. The children will enjoy “interactive reading” which includes reading stories while using puppets, and acting out literary situations.

(L-R) Everett Chappell, Madalyn Kratzer, Ryan Derr, Larson Kocher, Tala Almalki, Zainah Alajmi, Bader Almalki, Seraphim Kramarz, Jack Talbot, Bjork Millard. Preschoolers not pictured: Cerick Austin, Teddy Petrovich, Emily Shapeero, and Jameson Lapos.

Huskies on the move: Program Board Bus Trips

BU's Program Board will host a bus trip to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Feb. 25. The bus will depart from Bloomsburg at 6 a.m. and begin its trip back at 6 p.m from D.C. Tickets are $30 per person with a BU student ID and a paid spring 2012 community activities fee and $35 for those with just a BU student ID and guests. The trip is not open to the general public. Students can sign up now in the Students Activities Office, 350 KUB, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Explore Boston on an overnight bus trip on Saturday, March 31, to Sunday, April 1, sponsored by the Program Board. Costs as low as $99 includes two-way bus transportation and one night’s lodging at Days Hotel in the Allston neighborhood of Boston. Sign-ups begin on Monday, Feb. 16, in the student activities office, KUB 350.

PASSHE response to 2012-13 proposed budget

The following is a joint statement from Guido Pichini, chair of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors, and PASSHE Chancellor John C. Cavanaugh in response to Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed 2012-13 state budget. The governor’s proposal would reduce funding to PASSHE by 20 percent, or more than $82 million.

“We fully recognize the financial challenges facing the Commonwealth. Governor Corbett was right in saying that education is a key to the state’s financial recovery. That is especially true of our graduates, over 80 percent of whom stay in Pennsylvania for their careers and as community and civic leaders. However, our joint goals are at risk as a result of the budget blueprint for the Commonwealth presented today, which provides only $2 million more than PASSHE received 24 years ago (1988-89). Since then, we've added 23,000 students."