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Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session December 15, 2006, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Minutes of the WMU Board of Trustees meeting include appendices:

• Resolution re Presidential Search
• Sale of Property
• Reassignment of Assumption of Lease
• Lease Agreement between WMU and WMU Foundation re Building 126
• Ratification of AFSCME Contract
• Consent Items (6-11)
• Grant Report
• Revised Research Misconduct Policy
• Gift Report
• Revised Annuity and Life Income Funds Investment Report
• Personnel Report
• Board Meeting Dates for 2007

Western News, Dec. 14, 2006, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Enslen, Mallison get honorary degrees; Engineering management grad program is nation's best; Pharmacy reopens on Sindecuse mail floor; On Campus with Rose Hathaway.

Geosciences Newsletter - 2006, Department Of Geosciences

Geological and Environmental Sciences News

Vol. 2, No. 2

• Mohamed Sultan, Chairperson
• Faculty News
• Department News
• Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE)
• Department Updates
• Graduate Student News
• Awards & Graduations
• Alumni News
• Outstanding Alumni Academy
• Dedication Ceremony Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE) New Faces in the Geosciences

Analyzing The Effects Of Inquiry-Based Instruction On The Learning Of Atmospheric Science Among Pre-Service Teacher Education Students, Robert James Ruhf

Dissertations

This study tested whether or not pre-service teacher education students enrolled in inquiry-based earth science courses gained more thorough knowledge, comprehension, and application proficiencies with regard to atmospheric science concepts included in the Michigan Curriculum Framework for Science Education---the content standards of the Michigan State Board of Education for K-12---than did pre-service teacher education students enrolled in a traditionally-based earth science lecture/laboratory course. Content proficiencies were tested at the beginning of the semester (the pretest) and again at theend of the semester (the posttest). A sample of students participated in post-test interview sessions designed to examine in depth their knowledge, …

A Case Study Of The Efficacy Of A University Cohort Group In A Small Urban School District, Ann Rea Kopy

Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to explore the processes followed in an educational partnership and to describe the changes in the participants' beliefs, practices, and sense of efficacy as a result of their participation. This study described and analyzed an educational partnership between a large university and the staff of a small, urban school district. The goals of the partnership were to provide the participants the knowledge to enhance student achievement as well as to develop educational leaders throughout the district. The participants consisted of educators of the district that enrolled in the educational partnership that existed for …

Success In The First Year: Impact Of Alternative Advising On Students At A Liberal Arts College, James E. Swanson

Dissertations

Small faith-based liberal arts institutions are increasingly focused on recruitment and retention because it is critical to their existence. Because these institutions are completely enrollment driven, the numbers of students who persist through to their second year of college is a necessary administrative focus. Scholars have found that interactions between students and members of the institution, especially faculty, are critical to student persistence during the first year of College. Research has also demonstrated that academic advising plays an important role in first-year student persistence. A question remains, however, whether students are retained because of time spent with faculty or because …

Job Tasks Performed By Career Preparation System Administrators: Implications For Leadership Development, Julia K. Vandermolen

Dissertations

This study represents the results of a quantitative survey measuring the importance and frequency of job tasks performed by Michigan's Career Preparation System (CPS) administrators. The census consisted of 120 (n = 120) CPS administrators. Eighty-six (n = 86) or 72% of CPS administrators participated in the study. A mailed survey was used to collect data to determine the importance and frequency of 51 job tasks performed by career and technical education (CTE)administrators identified by a previous DACUM study for a leadership development program. Quantitative methods were used to seek an improved understanding of the job tasks performed …

Retaining Information Technology Employees In Higher Education, Mary Holmes

Dissertations

The retention of qualified Information Technology (IT) employees is at an all time low within higher education institutions. IT personnel are essential for higher education institutions to effectively integrate technology into their educational programs. These IT employees contribute to their institution's teaching/learning mission, while simultaneously supporting complex and highly visible administrative operations. Yet, all previous research regarding IT employee retention issues had only been conducted within corporate settings.

To examine factors related to IT employees' retention within public higher education, an internet-based study was sent to IT employees in all four-year public universities throughout Michigan. The survey included questions within …

Best Practices Within Mediation Programs, Warren L. Hills

Dissertations

Mediation Centers have been introduced to college and university campuses in recent years as a cost effective method to deal with a variety of conflict issues. These centers offer a variety of services to students, faculty, and staff including mediation, facilitation, and training. Campus mediation centers that report various levels of success and growth serve as an example for operations to their peer institutions. Yet for a lack of previous research, little information is known about the actual operations of campus mediation centers and the systems and processes they follow.

An internet-based survey was sent to campus mediation centers staff …

Problem-Based Learning: An Attitudinal Study Of Police Academy Students, Gregory P. Vander Kooi

Dissertations

Policing strategies have gravitated toward a consensus paradigm model, commonly referred to as "community policing." This is a significant paradigm shift, yet most police academies continue to use traditional lecture-based pedagogical methods to train police officers. One possible alternative to passive lecture-based teaching is a more active problem-based learning. Problem-based methodologies consist of presenting ill-structured problems whereby an instructor facilitates and directs the students in active inquiry toward possible solutions for a specific problem.

Western News, Nov. 30, 2006, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU establishes award for emerging scholars; Ten staff members received fall service awards; Obituaries for Harry Hefner and David Morris; On Campus with Jan Dekker.

Western News, Nov. 16, 2006, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU gets cutting-edge aviation training devices; Baileys established endowed jazz scholarship; New Issues releases six new poetry collections; On Campus with Rosanna Metoyer.

Jet Equivalency Training Course Completion, Garrett R. Heinz

Honors Theses

Describes the student's experiences while participating in the Jet Equivalency Training Course (JET), AVS 4300, at Western Michigan University.

Western News, Nov. 2, 2006, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Washington selected as CHHS dean; Bronco Legislative Network offers voter information; Nominations sought for revived teaching award; On Campus with Donna Gardner-Lawson.

Reading Horizons Vol.47 No 2

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Complete issue of Reading Horizons volume 47 issue 2.

Reading Interest And Behavior In Middle School Students In Innercity And Rural Settings, Daphne Greenburg, Amanda D. Gilbert, Laura D. Fredrick

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

We examined the reading interest and behavior of students in one rural (n = 664) and one inner-city (n = 510) middle school. Responses to the questionnaire indicated that in general, middle school students are not interested in reading and spend very little time engaged in various reading activities. Further analysis of the data showed differences among school, gender, and grade in responses to the questionnaire. Therefore, although one can make broad claims about middle school students, we propose that it may be useful to look also at different groups of middle school students when trying to make decisions concerning …

Investigating Connections Between Teacher Beliefs And Instructional Practices With Struggling Readers, Sherry W. Powers, Cassie Zippay, Brittany Butler

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

This study examines and describes the changes in four teachers' beliefs and practices in literacy and literacy assessment over the course of a yearlong graduate level clinical experience. Four teachers who worked in the university literacy clinic as part of their graduate course work participated in this study. Two of the four teachers teach elementary aged pupils in a public school, another serves as a reading resource educator at a public elementary school, and the fourth teaches high school-aged students at an alternative school associated with a public school. Findings indicate that teacher beliefs and their classroom instruction are often …

The Impact Of Multiple Fluency Interventions On A Single Subject, Jennifer Morra, Diane H. Tracey

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

This study investigates the effectiveness of multiple fluency interventions on a single subject in grade three. Fluency interventions, including choral reading, echo reading, repeated reading, audio book modeling, and teacher modeling were implemented over a period of eight weeks. Results indicated that using multiple fluency strategies, rather than a single fluency strategy as is usually investigated, was positively associated with improvement in oral reading

Knowing The Text, Knowing The Learner: Literature Discussions With Fifth Grade Struggling Readers, Kristen Celani, Ellen Mcintyre, Elizabeth C. Rightmyer

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

The purpose of this article is to describe an action research study on the discourse patterns that seemed to best promote "developed" discussions of literature with fifth-grade struggling readers in an urban school. Developed discussions are those in which a substantial topic is maintained and the teacher-student talk included interpretations of the text and responses supported by textual, personal, and/or prior knowledge. Findings illustrated that developed discussions occurred in relation to the teacher's specific prompts and responses, the literature selected, and her focus on individual students.

Prism #18, October/November 2006, Office Of The Provost

Prism: Western Michigan University's Newsletter for Academic Affairs

No abstract provided.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Special Meeting October 27, 2006, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

The sole agenda item was to review/ and if appropriate/ approve a settlement agreement with Dr. Judith Bailey.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session October 20, 2006, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Minutes of the WMU Board of Trustees meeting include appendices:

• Resolution re Presidential Search Process
• Confirmation and Ratification of BTR Park Real Estate Transaction
• Lease of University Property at the Kalamazoo- Battle Creek International Airport
• Michigan Department of Transportation Easement
• Honorary Degree Recommendations

Western News, Oct. 19, 2006, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Bronco Biodiesel to fuel Kalamazoo buses; Memorial service Saturday for Ramona Bernhard; Obituaries for Czuhajewski, Hurst, Snyder, Stephenson; On Campus with Laura Darrah.

Panels On Assessment, Training, Help And Support: "Implementing Sustainable And Useful Assessment-So What's The Problem? ", Office Of Assessment And Undergraduate Studies

Assessment Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Western News, Oct. 5, 2006, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Advisory group poised to begin presidential search; NCAA recertification process begins; Fedotov wins Fulbright; Baas gets teaching excellence award; On Campus with Patty DeLoach.

Insider Vol. 8 No. 1 Fall 2006, College Of Arts & Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences news

A Publication for Friends of the College of Arts and Sciences

Western News, Sept. 21, 2006, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: External funding for research reaches nearly $39 million; WMU gets Jobs Fund dollars; Ballard, Case-Parris, Northey, Paff get service excellence awards ; On Campus with Linda Comrie.

Western News, Sept. 7, 2006, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Haenicke returns to lead WMU; Brand research and marketing effort unveiled; WMU cited in two "best" listings; Obituaries for Alba "Polly" Pollard and Peter Renstrom; On Campus with James Wiseman.

Reading Horizons Vol.47 No 1

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Complete issue of Reading Horizons volume 47 issue 1.

Harnessing The Power Of Story: Using Narrative Reading And Writing Across Content Areas, Steven Nathanson

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

This article reviews research to examine how teaching and learning are improved with the use of narrative story materials. Stories help to focus the reader's attention and build personal connection, resulting in better retention and deeper subject-matter understanding. Four key advantages of narratives cited by D. T Willingham are discussed. The effectiveness of stories is further supported by a review of research from diverse fields, including cognitive psychology, social and physical sciences, education, and communication. Suggestions and strategies for the use of narrative materials in content area settings beyond the elementary classroom are also provided.