New Service to Students: Mobile Computer Lab The Guide to Entertainment has Moved to the Web Student Union Makes Strides in Conserving Energy

Student Union NEW Mission and Goals Faculty Profiles

This fall the Student Union will be providing a new service to the students at Boise State, an opportunity to check out wireless laptop computers. These laptops will have Internet access in most areas of the building and can only be used in the SUB. They will be available at the newly remodeled Information Desk.

A student wishing to check out a laptop will need to read the policies regarding the use of the laptop, provide his/her student ID, and sign an agreement in accordance with the policies. A student will be allotted two hours of use and will be able to renew this time period only once on that same day. This service is free to students with the exception of late fees or fees related to computer damage.

The laptops purchased are Gateway Solo Laptops with a floppy disk drive and a CD- ROM drive. Each computer is equipped with virus protection software and a program entitled, "Deep Freeze" which will allow the computer to return to its original default state after each use. Also available will be an external zip drive.

Starting out with only 10 laptops, the Student Union hopes to expand this service in the future. It is ideal for students participating in group projects, or who would feel more comfortable working in the SUB. There is always a need for more computers and hopefully this service will help alleviate that need.

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The Guide to Entertainment, a guide previously sent to students through the mail, is now found at entertainment.boisestate.edu. The guide provides students with the most up-to-date information on events and activities happening on campus.

As a visitor to this website, you have your own personal guide, a robot, "G2E." He will guide you to the calendar. When you have accessed the calendar, pick a day, click on it, and there is a list of events happening that day. You can search for activities by date, or by category: Theatre/Performing Arts, Athletic Events, Campus Rec/Intramural, Music/Concerts, or Outdoor Adventures. If you find an event of interest, click on it and a dialogue box appears with detailed information, including times, costs, contact information, and a description of the event. Depending on the amount of information available, there may be pictures, sound clips, or even video clips. The dialogue box may also have links to websites containing additional information about the event.

The hope for the Guide to Entertainment is that it will become a planning calendar for students and even a bookmarked website. The website address will be displayed on event advertisements so students will become familiar with the new addition to the Union Website. On Thursday, August 29th, the Student Union will retire the old Guide and introduce the new Guide to Entertainment with an introduction party on the patio. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend.

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After the Governor's mandate to conserve energy in the fall of 2001, the Student Union took action. Jack Rahmann, Assistant Director of Student Union & Activities took the lead. There has been more energy saving initiatives developed in the last year than in prior years.

The Student Union realized they could not consolidate hours, as did other areas on campus. Rahmann stated, "...we needed to be more efficient. We have to provide service 7 days a week, 18 hours a day. The strategy was to make what we have more efficient."

One of the immediate measures taken was to keep the thermostat a bit warmer in the summer (74 degrees) and a bit cooler in the winter (70 degrees). Next, staff were asked to power-down computers used within the building, shut off computers when not being used, close blinds in the summer, work without light if natural lighting is sufficient, and staff and students were discouraged from using elevators and automatic doors. The door hinges on the patio doors and Student Activities doors were replaced, which made opening the doors easier. To help make students and visitors more aware of these conservation efforts, cards were placed near thermostats, and flyers were posted in the building directories.

In addition to these measures, several major projects were planned. The Student Union replaced most of the lighting ballasts and fluorescent lamps (bulbs) in the facility with new fixtures and lamps, which use 40 percent less energy. (Lighting uses the largest amount of electricity in the SUB.) The Student Union also replaced the walk-in refrigerators/freezers with air-cooled instead of water-cooled compressors to conserve water. (The Union was using 600 gallons of water per day for these units and now uses zero gallons per day.) The main chiller (air-conditioner) was replaced with one that uses 30 percent less electricity. The Student Union also installed more Metasys controls to accurately control and monitor cooling and heating systems.

The measures planned for fiscal year 2003 include:

• Finish replacing all the ballasts and fluorescent lamps
• Replace water heaters with more efficient water heaters
• Finish installing Metasys controls throughout the building

The initiatives implemented have already saved a remarkable amount of money and energy. Even with increasing energy rates, the Student Union saved $8,322 over the last year in utility costs. Future plans in this effort will be finished within the next fiscal year.

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The Boise State Student Union... Serves as the central gathering place for members of the University community. Encourages civic responsibility and participation in service. Provides programs and services that expand competencies, enhance understanding and promote personal growth. Demonstrates a commitment to the visual and performing arts, cultural diversity and intellectual development. Provides a forum for unifying a diverse campus community. Exemplifies a customer orientation and provides convenient, useful services in a clean and friendly environment. Provides meeting and event space for student organizations and the campus community. Provides an environment that is conducive to innovation, learning, empowerment and creative thought. Serves as a point of outreach to the greater community.

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For three years, Caile E. Spear has been the advisor to the Men's Lacrosse team. As an advisor, she is an advocate for the organization members and helps them maneuver through University policy and University officials. Besides this great help she provides, Spear even finds time to enjoy some of their games. This organization has come a long way from its roots, and last year they won the Division 2 Championship for the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Lacrosse League.

The Men's Lacrosse team has a great reputation here on campus, and Spear makes sure of that. She feels that if they are to ask for favors or co-sponsors, they need to give back, not only to the University, but also to the community. The team participates in service projects such as "Meals on Wheels" for senior citizens and serving at the Idaho Food Bank. The team also holds clinics for youths at local schools. Dr. Spear is very pleased with the development of Lacrosse here at Boise State, and its success is in part a result of her dedication to the team and her support.

Outside of her role as an advisor and an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Dr. Spear also does a lot of work helping youth in the community. One of her current projects is a partnership with the College of Health Sciences and the Idaho Children's Trust Fund. In this project she helps direct persons receiving grants to develop programs to help youth, for example, child abuse prevention.

Dr. Spear expressed, "I have the best job in the whole world." Her love of working with students shows in her dedication to helping students learn and also to succeed. In 1999, Spear received the ASBSU award for Outstanding Professor for the College of Education. In 2000 she was nominated again for this award and in 2001, she was nominated for Outstanding Professor in the Department of Kinesiology. Dr. Spear said, "They (her students) say they learn. I must be doing something right." She is doing many things right.

Aside from her numerous awards received for her academic achievements and Criminal Justice work, Mary Stohr has been selected many times by students for her superior level of support. To mention a few, she was selected by five different students between the years of 1996 and 2002, including former ASBSU President, Matt Bott in 1999, as the "teacher who most inspired them." She also received the 1998-1999 Faculty Recognition (Teaching) Award for the College of Social Science and Public Affairs as well as the Advisor of the Year Award (1996-1997) for Alpha Phi Sigma. She said she valued these recognitions the most because the people who nominated her were students. She takes so much pleasure in working with students and feels it was a generous gesture on their part to take time to recognize her.

Stohr was an advisor for the Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice Honor Society) from 1995-1999. Currently she is the Chair of the Criminal Justice Department. She is an active researcher currently involved in research concerning victimization for the Idaho State Patrol. Stohr also does volunteer work outside of school including PTO and Senior programs for the elderly in the community. She loves to read "more serious" books and is a huge Bruce Springsteen fan.

Stohr has made a huge impact on the life of students here at Boise State. She is very dedicated to supporting students in any way she possibly can, and her positive influence expands widely.

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