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Cuba Semester planned for Fall 2003

Fall, 2003 has officially been designated the Cuba Semester, according to Chad Stebbins, Institute of International Studies. The designation continues a pattern of designating one nation or area of the world each year for intensive study by the college, inclusive of presentations on the area's significance to America, art and architecture, music, dance, economic and diplomatic importance, history and future importance.

After more than 40 years residing in the shadow of the Soviet Union and isolated by an economic embargo, Cuba stands poised on the brink of radical change. In the next decade inevitable changes in the Cuban government and relationship to the United States will transform Cuba from an impoverished communist holdout to one of the United States' most important Latin American allies and trading partners. By making the fall of 2003 the Cuba Semester, Missouri Southern State College hopes to highlight the coming importance of Cuba and to lay a groundwork of knowledge and connections that will prepare our institution, state and region to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.

Cuba today is on the brink of radical change. Fidel Castro, whose forces swept into Havana in January 1959, is 76 years old and in failing health. His brother and officially designated successor, Raul, is also in his 70s. As the Castro brothers age, the forces of change are gathering strength on the island. The Cuban economy has been in a crisis since 1990, when the Soviet Union collapsed and Cuba lost what had been a $5 billion a year subsidy. Small-scale private businesses were legalized in 1993 and have created a new social class of economic entrepreneurs. Some of the government penalties against practicing Catholics have been lifted, and the church has been reinvigorated by two visits from the pope in recent years. A free enterprise black market operates quite openly alongside the official socialist economy.

Missouri Southern has already started building bridges to Cuba. Baseball coach Warren Turner twice has coached Team USA at the World Junior Baseball Championships in Havana. In 2001, Missouri Southern was granted an institution license for travel to Cuba by the U.S. Treasury Department. In March 2002, professors David Locher and Larry Cebula , Social Sciences, brought 14 students to Cuba on a week-long research trip. And in late Dec., 2002, Locher and Cebula returned to Cuba with the first-ever Alumni Association trip abroad. This summer, a select group of Southern professors will travel to Cuba to take part in a two-week Council on International Educational Exchange study tour.

Committee hears University-status testimony

A Missouri Senate committee on Tuesday heard testimony on legislation which would rename Missouri Southern State College as Missouri Southern State University-Joplin. "Missouri Southern is doing the quality of work that a university does, it just lacks the name," Sen.Gary Nodler, sponsor of the bill, told the Senate Pensions and General Laws Committee. "We believe that the name change is vital to compete in the educational environment of our region." In addition to changing Missouri Southern's name, Senate Bill 55 would alter residency requirements for members of the MSSC Board of Regents. Currently, board members must be residents of the college's district. Under SB 55, board members would be required to be residents of Missouri and residents of the area within a 60-mile radius of the district in which the college is located. "This change in the Board of Regents reflects the changes that have taken place at Missouri Southern," Sen. Nodler said. "MSSC is no longer simply a Joplin college, or a southwest Missouri college, it is truly a regional university."

Today's Brown Bag

Today's Brown Bag lunch, open to faculty and staff, features Sabina Cramer, Communications, speaking onThe Hindu Temple in Germany. The lunch will be held in BSC Room 310 (House of Lords Room) from 12:10 to 12:50. Come, pick up your free lunch at the mini-buffet outside and come inside to enjoy a stimulating presentation. Lunch is provided by Academic Affairs and Ameriserve.

Assessment Day slated for February 19

Remind students to file FAFSA early

It's that time of year again to apply for financial aid for the 2003-04 academic year. Cheryl Dobson, Financial Aid, says instructors might remind students that early filing is important. As soon as 2002 tax returns are completed, students may file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. All financial aid documentation must be received by the Financial Aid office no later than July 1 to hold fees. To be considered for Missouri state aid, the FAFSA must be received by the Department of Education no later than April 1. For additional information on state programs, visit www.mostars.com. When filing the FAFSA application on line, students are advised to use the free Department of Education's web-site. Other "similar" sites charge a fee to assist with completing the application.

Holden appoints student representative to Board

Missouri Governor Bob Holden has appointed Stacey Allen of Mountain Grove as the student representative to the Missouri Southern Board of Regents. Allen is a junior elementary education major who is expected to graduate in May 2004. She is Student Intramural Coordinator, managing a staff of 12 students. Allen is also the secretary of the Student Senate and is an Orientation Leader. The Board of Regents acts on behalf of the people of Missouri to oversee the successful implementation of well-planned and sound academic programs of higher learning for the benefit of the students of the college. Zackery W. Odem, junior accounting major from Joplin, has served as interim student representative since the position was vacated with the graduation of Brett Doennig in May 2001.

Phi Eta Sigma, the Missouri Southern Freshman Honor Society, requests donations of money or other items to benefit Lafayette House in Joplin for Valentine's Day. Lafayette House provides a safe haven for individuals escaping violent or abusive domestic situations. Many women and even children come there with few or no personal belongings or personal hygiene items. Phi Eta Sigma, along with Girl Scout Troop 343 from Anderson, plans to create gift baskets filled with soaps, towels and everyday items. For children, they will make valentine boxes filled with candy, toys and school items. The baskets will be delivered to Lafayette House on Feb. 13. Those with money or other items are encouraged to bring items to Melissa Locher, Learning Center, by Friday, Feb. 7. For information, e-mail Melissa or call her at ext. 9516.

The Criminal Justice Student Association (CJSA) will host its annual Campuswide Chili Cook Off/Feed Wednesday, Feb. 26. The event will be held from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. in room 125 of the Justice Center. There is no cost to enter and all entrants get to eat for free. The prizes for the contest will be $100 for1st Place, $50 for 2nd Place and $35 for 3rd Place. To enter your chili in the cook off contact Mike Hulderman at ext. 9519 or hulderman-m@mssu.edu. If you are not interested in entering the contest but would like to eat many different styles of chili and the fixings, admission is $4 for all you can eat and a drink. Drawings will be held for great door prizes.

Hughes Celebration to feature speaker, art, Kufarra

The Eleventh Annual Langston Hughes Celebration will feature Dr. Emily Bernard, who has edited a highly acclaimed book Remember Me to Harlem on Friday, Feb. 7. Doris Walters, English, says Bernard will focus especially on the Harlem Renaissance in her talk. Her book records, through written correspondence, forty years of interracial friendship between Carl Van Vechten and Langston Hughes.

An art exhibit of work by Jane Kleindl, inspired by Hughes' poetry, will be outside the auditorium and on the stage. Readers from Emerson Elementary, Memorial Middle School and Joplin High School will also take part in the event. Kufarra, the marimba band, will start playing at 6:30 before the event officially begins at 7 p.m. in Webster Hall Auditorium.

88.7KXMS/Fine Arts Radio International is featuring Missouri Southern President, Dr. Julio León, in comments during his 20-year anniversary commemoration in Missouri Southern's top job late last year. KXMS General Manager, Jeffrey Skibbe, says comments from the Cuba Semester inauguration will be available soon. Listeners simply have to visit http://www.mssu.edu/pages/kxms/Archival_audio.htm .

KGCS to air interview with Dr. León

The KGCS television program Newsmakers features an interview with MSSC President, Dr. Julio León tonight at 7 p.m. Dr. León and Newsmakers host, Judy Stiles, will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Southern as the new semester gets underway. Challenges lie in the uncertain budget situation faced by the state, and how that might affect higher education. Dr. León also reflects upon his career as President, as he begins his 21st year in that position. The program will air on Joplin/Webb City cable channel 7 and UHF channel 57.

FACULTY/STAFF NOTES

Kaye Abight, Teacher Education, accompanied four students to the Missouri State Teacher Association (MSTA) conference, Jan.31 - Feb 1, at Tan-Tar-A lodge. Attending students were Holly Jones, Charity Keith, Linda Johns, and Klista Reynolds. Participants enjoyed presentations on service learning, parent involvement in the classroom, and teaching at-risk students. Kaye is the sponsor of Southern's student MSTA chapter.

The Missouri Southern Chapter of the National Broadcasting Society is offering a chance for faculty, staff and students to record "Video Valentines" greetings. Funds raised will help the support the cost of sending students to the national convention in April. For more information, contact advisor Judy Stiles, KGCS General Manager, at ext. 9777 or the KGCS newsroom at ext. 3111.

CLASSIFIED

For Sale: Stodart upright piano w/bench. $500 or best offer. Call 417-781-3217 or ext. 9551.