Center for Academic Creativity/Mission

New Faculty Resources

A compendium of useful information about
teaching at USI for new faculty.

Academic Programs

Honors | Living Learning Communities | University Core Curriculum | Service Learning

Honors Program
The Honors Program is designed for students who desire to be intellectually stimulated in the classroom. This program is open to students* of all majors. Honors courses may come from the University Core Curriculum or individual major courses. All USI faculty are invited to teach an honors course. Some courses are called “stand-alone” Honors sections, where all the students will receive honors credit at the end of the course. Some examples are HONS 101 or ENG 101H. Other courses are deemed Honors “contract” sections, where a student seeks out a professor of a regular course section, signs a honors contract, and finishes a honors component to receive honors credit. Web site: http://www.usi.edu/honors/

Contact: Nina Bambina
Director of the Honors Program
Education Center 0114
812/464-1833
Email: Nina Bambina

*Incoming freshmen who received a score of 1200 or higher on the SAT Math and Verbal sections or a 27 or higher on the ACT and held a 3.0 high school GPA or higher are eligible for the program. Transfer or current USI students are eligible for the program if they have completed a minimum of 15 credit hours and hold a cumulative 3.25 or higher GPA.

Living Learning Communities
Living Learning Communities (LLCs) allow freshmen students, with similar academic programs, interests, and goals, the opportunity to live together. Students that live in the LLCs have special services and programs available to them. Currently, there are eight LLCs: business, emerging leaders, global communities, honors, nursing and health professions, science and engineering, elementary education, social work, liberal arts, and exploring majors. Also, starting in the Fall 2009, there will be a LLC for sophomores in the apartments. An application for the LLCs is available for students in the housing contract.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/res/prospective/llc.asp

Contact: Laurie Berry
Director of Housing and Residence Life
812/468-2000
Email: Housing & Residence Life

University Core Curriculum
The University Core Curriculum (UCC) is a program that seeks to help students develop critical thinking and information processing skills to become more well-rounded members of society. The program requires all USI degree-seeking students to complete a minimum of 50 credit hours of UCC selected courses. These courses are categorized in four broad topics that serve to enhance cognitive abilities, individual development, cultural and natural awareness, and the ability to integrate and apply knowledge.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/libarts/uccore/index.asp

Contact: Mark Krahling
Director of the University Core Curriculum
(812) 464-1712
Email: Core Curriculum

Useful Links:
Policies and Procedures Handbook
http://www.usi.edu/libarts/uccore/handbook.asp
Course Review Schedule
http://www.usi.edu/libarts/uccore/schedule.pdf
Assessment Information
http://www.usi.edu/libarts/uccore/assessment.asp
Guides and Hints to the UCC: UCC Tips

Service Learning
Service Learning is a program that emphasizes teaching that incorporates community service components. This program serves to enhance student learning by supplementing classroom lectures with hands-on experience in the real world and to provide valuable services to the community. These projects are categorized into three broad topics: academic, curricular, and co-curricular. All different departments across USI are encouraged to become involved with a Service Learning project. Web site: http://www.usi.edu/extserv/servicelearning/

Contact: Anne Statham
812/465-1203
Email: Anne Statham

Academic Advising

Academic Advising is a continual program that helps students choose the best academic route when studying at USI. Advisors are the faculty and staff of USI. The goal of academic advising is to aid students in identifying and executing the best educational strategies to reach their academic and career goals. Both the performance of the program and staff are regularly evaluated. Also, there is an academic advising committee that oversees the progress of this program.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/acadadv/home.asp

Contact: Shelly Blunt
Co-chair of Academic Advising Communication / Training
812/465-1268
Email: Shelley Blunt

Contact: Lee Ann Wambach
Co-chair of Academic Advising Communication/Training
812/464-1879
Email: Lee Ann Wambach

Useful Links:
“Academic Advising and Teachable Moments: Making the Most of the Advising Experience”
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/getArticle.cfm?id=2315
National Academic Advising Association
http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/index.htm

Center for Applied Research

The goal of the Center for Applied Research is to create a closer relationship between regional businesses and organizations and the University of Southern Indiana. More specifically this center allows for faculty and staff to engage in more research and consulting projects and students in more internships and coops with community organizations and businesses.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/extserv/CAR/

Contact: Susan Ellspermann
Director of the Center for Applied Research
812/461-5407
Email: Susan Ellspermann

Useful Links:
Project Assistance
http://www.usi.edu/extserv/CAR/projectassistance.asp

Center for Academic Creativity

The Center for Academic Creativity (CAC) supports all faculty and staff who directly contribute to the academic mission of USI. The goals are to enhance student learning and to enable faculty and staff to develop as scholars, leaders, and community members. The CAC provides a variety of resources and programs throughout the year to help faculty and staff balance these roles. Web site: http://www.usi.edu/creativity/

Contact: Karyn Sproles
Director of the Center for Academic Creativity
812/461-5476
Email: Karyn Sproles

Useful Links:
Inside Higher Education
http://www.insidehighered.com/

Copy Center

The Copy Center provides publishing and copying services. Some of the copying services include large volume photocopying, specialty photocopying, and color copying. The Copy Center also produces booklets, brochures, business cards, invitations, stationary, and posters. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Online order forms are also available.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/publishing/copy.asp

Contact: Ronnie Smith
812/464-1889
Email: Ronnie Smith

Contact: Greg Carlisle
812/461-5454
Email: Greg Carlisle

Useful Links:
Ordering Online
http://www.usi.edu/printing/order.asp

Foundation

The USI Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports and sustains the goals of USI through charitable gifts. The mission of the Foundation is to attract, acquire, and manage donations. The Foundation receives generous donations from alumni, friends, business, and the faculty and staff of USI. In turn, the Foundation supports student scholarships, research, educational projects, athletics, and programs. The Foundation is also provides the vice president, deans, department chairs, and program administrators with options when unexpected needs or unanticipated opportunities arise. Contributions to the Foundation can be made to a variety of different funds.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/foundation/index.asp

Contact: David Bower
President of the USI Foundation
Email: David Bower

Useful Links:
How to Give
http://www.usi.edu/foundation/howtogive.asp

Institutional Research

Institutional Research is an office that assists the administrative and executive offices in assessing and increasing the overall effectiveness and efficiency of USI. This office collects and reports institutional, regional, and national standards. In turn, Institutional Research is able to provide data that will promote USI’s ongoing planning and decision-making processes. Institutional Research also aids in the evaluation of activities implemented after accreditation reviews.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/ir/index.asp

Contact: Katherine Draughon
Director of Institutional Research and Assessment
Wright Administration 104J
812/465-7000
Email: Katherine Draughon

Useful Links:
American College Testing
http://www.act.org/
Association for Institutional Research
http://www.airweb.org/
American Evaluation Association
http://www.eval.org/
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Instructional Technology / Distance Education

Instructional Technology
Instructional Technology offers several services to the USI community. Some of these services include presentation support and training, videoconferencing, multimedia services (i.e. video production, scanning, photography, lamination, etc.), audio and video duplication, Scantron testing services, and distance education. These services are available to faculty, staff, and students. Instructional Technology also provides training in Microsoft PowerPoint for instructors. Equipment can be requested through an online form.
Web site: http://instructech.usi.edu/

Contact: Dave LeRoy
ITS Producer/Director
812/465-1204
Email: Dave LeRoy

Contact: Andrew Black
ITS Producer/Director
812/465-7182
Email: Andrew Black

Useful Links:
Equipment Request Form
http://instructech.usi.edu/equipmentorders.asp

Distance Education
Distance Education program provides a variety of courses taught to fit students’ lifestyles or circumstances. Distance Education utilizes technologies such as the Internet, videostreaming, audiostreaming, and interactive television. USI’s Distance Education program also provides noncredit courses, certificate programs, and special programs for K-12 teachers and students.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/distance/

Contact: USI Distance Education
Wright Administration, Forum Wing FA41
812/465-7182
Email: Distance Education

IRB / Human Subjects

The IRB is the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research. When conducting research involving human subjects, all researchers have a responsibility of ensuring the safety, protection, and rights of those participants. All USI faculty, staff, and students must complete human subject training before conducting research involving human subjects. IRB application forms and instruction materials are available online.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/sro/hsresearch.asp#IRB

Contact: Peggy Harrel
Sponsored Research Specialist
(812/465-1126
Email: Peggy Harrel

Rice Library

The Rice Library provides a variety of resources and services to all faculty, staff, and students of USI. Some of the services provided by the library include an online catalog, database access, interlibrary loans, distance learning help, and research guides. Faculty and staff members may also request Library Instruction, Reserve Class Material, and Recommended Material.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/library/index.asp

Contact: Ruth Miller
Director
812/464-1824
Email: Ruth Miller

Useful Links:
Faculty Services
http://www.usi.edu/library/Fac_serv/FacultyServices.asp

New Harmony / Historic Southern Indiana

Historic Southern Indiana is the organization that helps promote, preserve, and enhance the rural and historic regions of southern Indiana. These areas are abundant in historical, natural, and recreational resources and include Vincennes, Corydon, New Harmony, and Madison. New Harmony is one of two great American utopian societies. It has an abundance of historic sites and recreational activities for all to do. Web site: http://www.usi.edu/hsi/index.asp

Contact: Historic Southern Indiana
812/465-7014
www.usi.edu/hsi

Contact: Historic New Harmony
Connie Weinzapfel
Director
812/682-4488
Email: Historic New Harmony

Useful Links:
Historic New Harmony
http://www.usi.edu/hnh/index2.asp
New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Arts
http://www.usi.edu/nhgallery/index2.asp
New Harmony Theatre
http://www.usi.edu/nht/
Historic Southern Indiana Resources
http://www.usi.edu/hsi/resources/resources.asp
Historic Southern Indiana Events
http://www.usi.edu/hsi/events.asp
Places to Go
http://www.usi.edu/hsi/placestogo.asp

News and Information

News and Information Services is an office that provides the content and photographs for USI publications, news releases, and media pitches. Some of the publications the News and Information Services produces are the USI Magazine, USI Today (which is an online employee newsletter), and the USI Bulletin. Web site: http://www.usi.edu/newsinfo/

Contact: Kathy Funke
Director
812/465-7050
Email: Kathy Funke

Useful Links:
USI Today
http://www.usi.edu/usitoday/
USI Bulletin 2009-2011
http://www.usi.edu/newsinfo/bulletin/
Photography Services
http://www.usi.edu/photography/

Recreation and Fitness Center

The Recreation and Fitness Center provides facilities and a variety of programs to help students and employees at USI pursue a healthy lifestyle. Individual fitness consultations, exercise classes, incentive programs, and intramural sports are some of the opportunities offered by the Recreation and Fitness Center.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/rfw/

Contact: Dave Enzler
Director
812/461-5271
Email: Dave Enzler

Pedagogy

Useful Links:
“The 50 Minute Class”.pdf
“Time Savers”.pdf
“‘On Course’: New Guide to First Semester of Teaching”
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/05/14/lang
“What They Didn’t Teach You in Graduate School”
http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i33/33a04001.htm
“Assessment of Teaching”
http://faq.hpu.edu/tlc/faq-pro/index_hpu.php?action=article&cat_id=002&id=122&lang
Teaching Large Classes Links
http://comp.uark.edu/~rlee/teach/large.html
"http://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/Tools/Large/"
http://comp.uark.edu/~rlee/teach/large.html
http://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/Tools/Large/
http://cte.umd.edu/library/teachingLargeClass/#Links
Large Classes: Teaching Guide
http://cte.umd.edu/library/teachingLargeClass/guide/index.html

Student Support Services

Career Services | Counseling Center | Disability Issues | Writing Skills

Career Services
Career Services is an office that aids students in attaining jobs, internships, and coops. This office also supplies a variety of resources to help students build resumes and cover letters. Web site: http://www.usi.edu/careersv/index.asp

Contact: Phil Parker
Director of Career Services
Orr Center LL074
812/464-1865
Email: Phil Parker

Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides free and confidential psychological, personal, and academic counseling. This office’s goal is to aid students in attaining their academic and career aspirations and to improve students’ quality of life.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/cou/index.asp

Contact: Leslie Smith
Assistant Director of the Counseling Center
Orr Center 1051
(812) 464-1867
Email: Leslie Smith

Disability Issues
Disability resources are provided to students through the Counseling Center.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/cou/Studentresources.asp

Contact: Leslie Smith
Asssitant Director of the Counseling Center
Orr Center 1051
812/464-1867
Email: Leslie Smith

Useful Links:
Disability Verification Form
http://www.usi.edu/cou/disabilityform.asp
Disability Documentation
http://www.usi.edu/cou/disabilitydoc.asp

Writing Skills
A service is provided by Academic Skills to help students with writing skills. Academic Skills provides writing tutoring through The Writer’s Room, where students of all majors can seek help on any writing assignment.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/ACADSKIL/tutoring-writersroom.asp

Contact: Deanna Odney
Academic Skills
812/464-1743
Email: Deanna Odney

Syllabus / Student Incivility

Syllabus

Useful Links:
“Handout on Syllabi”
"The Promising Syllabus" by Ken Bain
“The Promising Syllabus” by James Lang
http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2006/08/2006082801c.htm

Student Incivility

Useful Links:
“Student Rights and Responsibilities”
USI Faculty Handbook
http://www.usi.edu/HR/handbook/handbook.pdf
“ASJA Law and Policy Report”

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.”

Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the
right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
- School officials with legitimate educational interests /li>
- Other schools to which a student is transferring
- Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes
- Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student
- Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school
- Accrediting organizations
- To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
- Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies
- State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law

Schools may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school. Web site: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920
Telephone: 202/ 260-3887
TDD: 1-800-877-8339

Travel Policies

USI travel policies can be accessed through the Academic Affairs or USI Business Office website. There are certain regulations that must be met for travel to be authorized. Funding is taken care of by the USI Business Office.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/acaffrs/Faculty.asp or http://www.usi.edu/busoff/Travel/

Contact: Susanne Stanley
Travel Coordinator
Wright Administration, Forum Wing FA171
812/464-1990
Email: Susanne Stanley

Useful Links: Travel Regulations
http://www.usi.edu/busoff/travel/authoriz.asp
Travel Authorization Form
http://www.usi.edu/busoff/travel/tainfor.asp
International Travel Policies
http://www.usi.edu/ips/faculty.asp
Travel Reimbursement
http://www.usi.edu/busoff/travel/forms.asp

Volunteer USI

Volunteer USI is a program conducted by the USI Alumni Association. Volunteers help in a variety of educational and other outreach programs to the Evansville community. A great range of volunteering opportunities is available to all faculty, staff, and student members of USI.
Web site: http://www.usi.edu/volunteer/

Contact: Nancy Johnson
Director of Alumni and Volunteer Services
812/464-1924
Email: Nancy Johnson

Useful Links:
USI Alumni Association
http://www.usi.edu/alumni/index.asp
USI Volunteer Positions
http://www.usi.edu/volunteer/openings.asp
Volunteer Benefits
http://www.usi.edu/volunteer/benefits.asp