FOCUS ON FACULTY:
I'd like to welcome Todd Bilby, our new Assistant Dairy Specialist in Animal Sciences, who began working with us on February 19. Todd has worked in both Animal Sciences Departments at the University of Florida (where he worked with dairy management systems) and the University of Arkansas (where he worked with reproductive physiology, cow-calf management and artificial insemination). He comes to us directly from a position with the Monsanto Company in Fresno where he was an area market manager.
Congratulations to Bruce Tabashnik and Dean Sander who were this years honorees at the 2007 Arizona Cotton Growers Association 62nd Annual Meeting in Casa Grande, Wednesday, March 7. In addition, Clyde T. Sharp , who provides the food for our new faculty tour in Yuma, received the Director of the Year Award.
INTERIM INFORMATION SECURITY POLICY:
Each unit should take time to review the recent letter from President Shelton to the campus regarding IT Security as well as the latest revision (2/15/07) of the Interim Information Security Policy.
TRAINING LESSONS THROUGH VIDEO PODCASTS:
In connection with the various training sessions Linda Ffolliott, ECAT Webmaster, has conducted, she offers the following information as it relates to sharing those sessions through video podcasts: I have previously thought of podcasts as audio clips but learned they can also have a video component. The video podcast seems like a good technology to use to provide short "training lessons" for people wanting to learn Dreamweaver. Unlike live demonstrations, these podcasts can be viewed at a time convenient to you. You do NOT have to have an Ipod to view these podcasts. You will need to install a copy of iTunes (available for free for Windows and Mac machines) to view the podcasts, and if you decide to subscribe to this series, I will send you instructions about how to get iTunes. In mid March I will start releasing each week three podcasts that you can download to your local computer and then view as often as you wish. The podcasts will range from 2-7 minutes in length and will be on a specific topic, like the Title Tag, Posting through Dreamweaver, Changing Link Properties, Creating a Table, and Placing Graphics with the Float Property. Each week an additional three podcasts will be released to people who subscribe to the series. I am projecting that the series will last for three months. Even though you subscribe to the series and receive downloads, you can choose the time YOU want to actually view the podcasts. During this series, I plan to give optional exercises every few weeks so you can practice what has been covered in the podcasts. I will communicate with people taking "this multiple week class" through a closed listserv. If you are interested and want more detailed instructions, email Linda and she will add you to the closed listserv.
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES:
- The Healthy Lifestyles work group is sponsoring six Healthy Active Kids workshops all over Arizona during February and March. They are designed for teachers, youth volunteers and staff and community leaders interested in integrating nutrition, physical activity into classes and activities to reduce obesity and improve the health of Arizona's youth. Remaining workshop dates and locations are: March 15 (Tucson), March 24 (Sierra Vista), and March 28 (Phoenix). Registration and details are available at http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/fcs/HealthyActiveKids.php.
The Southwest Marketing Network is holding its 5th Annual Conference on March 26-28 at the Radisson Woodlands Hotel in Flagstaff. Highlights of the conference include a Southwest Reception, tour of Chino Valley sites, and keynote speaker Anthony Flaccavento (founding member and Executive Director of Appalachian Sustainable Development). Go to the Southwest Marketing Network conference website for an agenda, registration and other conference information.
- The "Climate and Riparian Areas Workshop: Connecting the Dots Climate Change/Variability and Ecosystem Impacts in Southwestern Riparian Areas" will occur on April 11-13 at the Hotel Casa Grande (777 N. Pinal Avenue, Casa Grande - $60/night before cutoff date). Early registration deadline is March 23 ! A full agenda and registration information are available at http://cals.arizona.edu/gila/naturalresources/Riparianpage.html