COMMITTEES etc.
Chair, G&ES and Economics
I oversee the operations of the two departments. G&ES has undertaken major revisions including new program requirements for the B.A. in Geography, the B.A. in Environmental Studies, the M.A. in G&ES and the minor in G&ES. We have many new courses and have removed from the catalog about 60 which have not been taught in decades. We've combined some courses with similar content, have renumbered some to the 200 level to make them prerequisites for upper division courses. We have a full new set of prerequisites, updated course descriptions for the catalog, and a data driven system for course scheduling that draws on 10 years of coursework. We have a new "Department Applied Criteria" to guide faculty through the retention and promotion schedule, and have a new summer rotation plan as well. We now have an extensive handbook for undergraduates, one for graduate students, and even one for faculty. Our first newsletter was published in Fall 2008, and we are revising our public displays through the science building, finalizing brochures and other informational/promotional literature. We've hired two new tenure track faculty and our major counts continue to climb.
On the Economics side I've participated in and have overseen the department's functions and have aided in the Search and Screen for three years in a row.
Green Fee Steering Committee
NEIU students voted for a $3 fee which will generate nearly $90,000 annually for renewable energy projects and conservation on campus. I'm on the steering committee and as chair of G&ES appoint two other members.
BUGHOUSE Faculty Advisor
In 2003 and again in 2006 I was instrumental in launching a NEIU portal-conferencing-bulletin board called Bughouse, named after the 1960s era speakeasy which was once active in the cafeteria at that time (now the Bookstore). Although the board has fallen on hard times, as the technical support team graduated and NEIUport took over some of its functions, it is still full of potential energy at this link.
Member, Search & Screen for Facilities Management
I've served for the Assistant Director of IT Strategic Planning, the Director of University Computing, and the Associate Director of Sponsored Programs.
Academic Advisor, G&ES
I am the academic advisor to all the G&ES minors and maybe 40 undergraduate majors, as well as 8 or so master's students. As second reader of research papers and theses, I also serve the students of colleagues.
Webmaster, Department of G&ES
Since 1993 I have done this. The page is now in its fourth major version.
Library Liaison
I am the department's liaison with the library, for advice on journals, books, and publications. I keep the census data and TIGER/LINE CDs in departmental storage.
