Marketing and Communications
Press Releases: August 2008
New 1-Credit Courses Offer Avenues to Pursue One's Passions (8/28/08)
Starting fall 2008, Southern Oregon University (SOU) will offer several 1-credit courses designed for community members, from high school students to business owners, teachers and performers.
Bridging the gap between academia and community education, courses are taught by SOU faculty members in the University’s classrooms.
Business-minded individuals may be interested in Introduction to Sustainable Leadership. The course examines organizational leadership from the perspective of sustainable practices, including local food, renewable energy, green building and alternative transportation. This course costs $ 149, with classes held on October 17 and 24, from 5 to 10 pm.
With Ashland residents in mind, the course Seven Sides of Mexico commemorates the 40th anniversary of Ashland’s alliance with sister city Guanajuato, Mexico. An array of guest speakers will share their knowledge of regional customs, water and mining concerns, the struggles of the educational system, and the challenging social issues facing Mexico today. This course costs $20, with classes held on Mondays from October 6 through November 17, from 7 to 8:30 pm.
Everyday Creativity examines free, inexpensive and unconventional approaches to staying creative in everyday life. This course designed for teachers and parents includes the Amuseum of Unnatural History, RecycleLit and ArtSeeds, among other creative concepts. This course costs $30 and takes place on October 18, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Useful for high school students to retirees, Seven Ideas to Shake Your Research: Technologies and Further Adventures for Finding Information Inside and Outside the Library explores basic and advanced search strategies to find and evaluate information efficiently, effectively and ethically. This course costs $50 with classes held online from September 29 to December 12.
Anyone with a voice may enjoy the Jefferson State Choral Coalition, under the direction of internationally renowned arranger Kirby Shaw. The ensemble performs a concert in the SOU Music Recital Hall at the end of each academic term. Auditions are open to everyone from novice to expert. This course costs $70 and is held on Wednesdays from October 1 through December 3, from 7 to 9:30 pm.
Based in academia, these courses offer something for everyone. For more information, please call 541-552-6899, or visit sou.edu/community.
Southern Oregon University Extends Support to Veterans (8/27/08)
Southern Oregon University (SOU) announces new the Veteran Tuition Support Program, available fall 2008.
The Veteran Remission Tuition Program offers newly admitted veterans tuition remission for 4 credits if they enroll for 8 credits. By taking advantage of this program, new students will receive 12 credits for the price of 8 credits, which is a savings of $499. To take advantage of this program, qualifying students must enroll for 12 credits.
Veterans who have served on active duty in the last 12 months or are currently serving in the National Guard qualify. At present, the remission program is only offered for fall term 2008. For more information, please contact Diana Watson-Paul at 541-552-6756 or email watsonpd@sou.edu.
“The remission program is a great opportunity to give recently returning veterans the chance to see what Southern has to offer,” said Carolyn Shirley, Veterans Resource Student Manager.
Community Art Installed at New RCC/SOU Higher Education Center (8/22/08)
Southern Oregon University (SOU) and Rogue Community College (RCC) will host a reception celebrating the final art installation commissioned for the new RCC/SOU Higher Education Center in Medford, Ore.
The reception is scheduled on Thursday, August 28, 2008, at 3:30 pm in the Higher Education Center, located at 101 S. Bartlett St. The public is invited.
Tim Prentice will present a chronicle of his contribution to the center—a hanging kinetic sculpture suspended from the atrium’s ceiling. Prentice’s piece titled “Ribbon” consists of three lightweight metal strips that move with the room’s air current. He drew on his background in engineering, architecture and art to design a sculpture that visibly illustrates the air current.
“‘Ribbon’ is an interesting piece because it dances with the space,” said Saralyn Hilde, the Oregon Art Commission field representative who worked with the committee and the commissioned artists. “The metal strips make the invisible air visible.”
A 10-member committee selected Prentice, along with Richard Swanson, a sculptor who works in metal, and Lonnie Feather, a glass artist, from a submission pool of more than 100 entries. The Oregon Percent for Art in Public Places law, which appropriates 1% of direct construction funds for the acquisition of artwork, applies to new and remodeled public buildings with construction costs of $100,000 or greater. The Oregon Art Commission worked with SOU and RCC to select Prentice, Feather and Swanson.
The RCC/SOU Higher Education Center represents a one-of-a-kind partnership in Oregon. The jointly financed, designed and constructed center will house both RCC and SOU classes in one location, making the student transition from community college to university easier and accommodating working professionals pursuing higher education. Students can co-enroll and choose from both RCC and SOU class schedules. All RCC and SOU faculty and staff are cross-trained to answer questions and serve the center’s variety of students. The 68,700-square-foot, three-story building includes classrooms, a lecture hall, science labs, computer labs, offices, and the Business Center, which integrates RCC and SOU resources into the regional workforce, serving as a one-stop location for workforce training, professional development and employer/employee research. Serving as a hub for RCC and SOU collective services, the center also features a vibrant collection of community art and state-of-the-art energy efficient design.
The center is scheduled to open fall term. A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house will take place on Sept. 3, 2008, from noon to 7 pm.
New RCC/SOU Higher Education Center Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Open House (8/22/08)
Southern Oregon University (SOU) and Rogue Community College (RCC) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the RCC/SOU Higher Education Center in Medford, Ore. on Sept. 3 at noon. The Center is located at 101 S. Bartlett St.
The RCC/SOU Higher Education Center represents a one-of-a-kind partnership in Oregon. The jointly financed, designed and constructed center will house both RCC and SOU classes, making the student transition from community college to university easier, while accommodating working professionals pursuing higher education.
The ceremony will be followed by an open house from 3 to 7 pm. The public is invited to tour the 68,700-square-foot, three-story building, which includes classrooms, science labs, computer labs, the Prometric Testing Center and Business Center.
The Prometric Testing Center will be a complete academic and professional facility in southern Oregon that offers a full menu of tests, including the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and the Oregon Life Insurance exam (OLI).
The Business Center integrates RCC and SOU resources to form a one-stop location for workforce training and professional development, including the RCC/SOU Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Executive Mentoring Program, Executive Lecture Series, Customized Training Programs, Business Communication Institute (BCI) and Faculty Consulting Services. The Business Center will also host two new SOU partnerships. In conjunction with the Pacific Retirement Services School of Aging Services, SOU will offer the new management of aging services degree option in the bachelor of business administration program. As an educational partner with the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM), SOU is the first university in Oregon to offer the ICPM certification program.
The Center’s architects employed the latest energy-saving, sustainable practices in the design of the building. Light shelves reflect sunlight into classrooms and offices to provide natural daylighting. Light sensors monitor lighting levels and shut off lights when they are not required. The ventilation in rooms is activated in response to CO2 sensors, so energy is not wasted on rooms that don’t require ventilation.
RCC and SOU are currently pursuing the possibility of having a photovoltaic (PV) array installed on the roof of the Center to convert solar photo-energy (sunlight) directly into commercial-grade electricity.
RCC and SOU are also applying for the prestigious LEED Platinum rating. The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is nationally recognized as the third-party certification program to rank the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.
The Center also features public commissioned art from nationally notable artists. A 10-member committee selected kinetic sculptor Tim Prentice, metal sculptor Richard Swanson and glass artist Lonnie Feather from a submission pool of more than 100 entries. The Oregon Percent for Art in Public Places law, which appropriates 1% of direct construction funds for the acquisition of artwork, applies to new and remodeled public buildings with construction costs of $100,000 or greater. The Oregon Art Commission worked with SOU and RCC to select Prentice, Feather and Swanson.
"This partnership between Southern Oregon University and Rogue Community College is an example I hope others will follow,” said Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. “It shows a strong commitment to meet Oregonians’ diverse educational needs, and I am proud to have supported this unique collaboration."
For more information, please visit rcc-sou.org.
SOU Professor to Present at International Conference (8/8/08)
Southern Oregon University (SOU) Communication Professor Susan Walsh, PhD, has presented her research paper on gender in political cartoons at the third annual International Conference on the Arts in Society. The conference, themed “Art as Communication,” was held on July 28 though 31, 2008, at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, in Birmingham, England.
In her paper “Taking Humor Seriously: Gender Matters in Political Cartoons of Hillary Rodham Clinton in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Campaign,” Walsh critically evaluated a sample of approximately 500 political cartoons published during the 2008 democratic nominee race between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
Walsh’s paper-based presentation focused on recurring sexist themes, including Clinton’s portrayal as a witch, the gross exaggeration of her physical features even by cartoon standards and the marginalization of her political experience with the primary focus on her role as first lady.
Clinton’s campaign for the 2008 presidential democratic nomination was unique in that she won more primaries and delegates than any other woman in U.S. history.
“I’m looking forward to having this international forum to discuss gender issues because it’s important to have other cultural and social perspectives,” said Walsh before leaving for England. “Since my research is based in satirical political cartoons, which culturally speaking can be quite subjective, the audience reaction will be interesting.”
Southern Oregon University Host Summer Youth Programs (8/8/08)
Southern Oregon University (SOU) is offering a number of pre-college youth programs during August. Each weeklong workshop combines hands-on applications with practical educational experiences that encourage learning. All classes are held on the SOU campus.
Programs offered August 11 through 15
For more information, visit sou.edu/youth or call 541-552-6452.
Media on the Move: Journalism Workshop
Calling all aspiring journalists! Working in the Communication Department computer lab, students ages 14 to 18 learn the fundamentals of crafting news and feature stories, writing headlines, taking photographs and editing, as well as page design and layout techniques. Students are introduced to the Adobe software Photoshop and InDesign and will produce short feature stories about their classmates, in addition to participating in a campus feature hunt to learn proper writing techniques, ethics, electronic image-editing, and page layout. Class is held from 9 am to 3 pm in Britt Hall, Room 251. Fee: $239. (Note: Students may receive 1 college credit for an additional $50 fee.)
Ceramics: Wheeling Away with Clay
The SOU Art Department offers an intensive ceramics program for young people. Class is held from 9 am¬¬ to noon for students ages 7 to 11 and from 1 to 4 pm for students ages 12 to 17. Both classes will be held at the CVA Ceramics Lab on the SOU Ashland campus. Individual instruction lets students develop at their own pace. Students learn wheel, hand-building and glaze techniques, then fire their work using low-fire electric stoneware or raku processes. Fee: $139.
Create the Costume
In this workshop, students ages 8 to 12 learn how to proportion, shade, and use other essential art fundamentals to create costume and fashion drawings for the runway or for their favorite characters such as Harry Potter, Jessica Alba, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Corbin Bleu. Students build their drawing skills, stretch their imagination and boost their creativity. This course is offered from 9 am to noon in the Marion Ady Building, Room 101. Fee: $139.
Techniques of Video Production
Look out Hollywood—here you come! Students ages 12 to 16 learn video editing fundamentals and techniques. Students create a story, shoot the video, and go through the editing process using remote techniques and working in the studio. Class is held from 1 to 4 pm in the RVTV studio. Fee: $139.
Junior Tennis Institute
Time to hit the courts! This fun course is designed for beginning and intermediate tennis players ages 13 to 17. Students practice their strokes and serving technique, as well as learning etiquette and rules. Class is held from 9 to 10:30 am in SOU’s McNeal Tennis Courts. All equipment is included in the class fee. Fee: $89.
Forensic Science
If you enjoy CSI, then you will love this class! Students ages 11 to 14 learn actual forensic science techniques such as forensic anthropology, computer forensics, ballistics, drug and poison analysis, blood analysis, forensic pathology, and forensic entomology, as well as hair and fiber analysis, criminal profiling, evidence collection and more. Class is held from 9 am to noon in SOU’s Campbell building, Room A. Fee: $139.
The Great Toy Dissection
Ready, set, dissect! Students ages 6 to 8 will have fun taking apart toys such as remote control cars and trucks, toy cash registers, computers, dolls, game stations, and other toys. Focus is placed on how toys are constructed and how they work. Students explore the science of toy building and construct their very own toys. Participants are encouraged to bring toys that they wish to donate for dissection. Class is held from 1 to 3 pm at SOU’s Campbell building, Room C. Fee: $99.
Programs offered August 18 through 22
For more information, visit sou.edu/youth or call 541-552-6452.
Adventures in Drawing
Take an adventure into the fantastic world of drawing. Students ages 9 to 12 learn how to draw animals, caricatures or anything else they can imagine. While developing creativity and art skills, students will create marvelous masterpieces to take home. This class is held from 1 to 4 pm in the Marion Ady building, Room 102. Fee: $139.
Conservatory for Young Theatre Artists, Camelot Theatre Company (CTC)
This exciting camp introduces young artists ages 7 to 17 to improvisation, basic vocal and acting techniques, dance and Shakespeare. The workshop is held from 9 am to 4 pm in the SOU Theatre Arts Building. Working with professional artists, students will combine classes with rehearsals for a performance of select material guaranteed to move them forward as developing artists. Instructors Livia Genise, Laura Derocher, Audrey Flint, and Karl Iverson are all associated with the popular Camelot Theatre in Talent, Oregon. Fee: $239.
Fantastic Fencing
Steel rings on steel—away you go into the fascinating world of swordplay. Safe inside a mask and jacket, students ages 10 to 14 will be introduced to the exciting sport of fencing. Students learn the skills of touching (scoring on) their partner, while avoiding being scored on, as well as learning the respect, ethics, and camaraderie involved in this sport. En guard . . . ready . . . fence! Class is held from 1:30 to 3 pm in the SOU Dance Room, Physical Education building, Room 132. All equipment is supplied. Fee: $89.
Radical Rocks and Ropes
Students ages 9 to 14 learn to climb like the pros on one of the Rogue Valley’s premier indoor rock-climbing walls—SOU’s McNeal Rock Wall. Students will learn the basics of knot-tying, belaying technique, climbing safety, and proper rope skills to take their heights to a new level. Fee: $139.
Programs offered August 25 through 29
For more information, visit sou.edu/youth or call 541-552-6452.
Tech Week
Technology “rocks” our everyday world, from podcasts and XBOX 360s to the latest Nike shoes and the RFID in your cereal box. Students ages 10 to 13 will explore this exciting field and learn to navigate their technical world from 9 am to noon in Britt Hall, Room 251. Students will blend art and entertainment with technology by using multimedia programs to create eye- and ear-catching photos, audio, and videos. Students map their location from space and “geocache” their terrestrial coordinates around SOU’s Ashland campus using a GPS (Global Positioning System) as their guide. Fee: $139.
Much Ado About Shakespeare
Come bring the written word to life through the works of the world’s greatest playwright, William Shakespeare. Students 8 to 12 will enhance their Shakespearean knowledge from 9 am to 11 at the Black Box on the SOU Ashland campus. Students will participate in acting games and exercises, physical games and techniques, dance, improvisation, stage combat and much more. Students explore the history of Shakespeare’s life and work with actors from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) and will tour OSF on the final day. Fee: $99.
Culinary Creations
Students ages 10 to 15 will experience a variety of cooking techniques as they learn to create delicious snacks and meals. The workshop is held at SOU in the Cascade Dining Hall from 9 am to noon. Students augment their repertoire with ideas and recipes from cuisines enjoyed around the world. Participants learn “kitchenology” by measuring and mixing ingredients while using a variety of cooking tools and machines. All levels of cooking experience welcome. Fee: $139.
Family Scuba
Explore scuba as a family, ages 10 to adult, in a week designed to create memories. The course is held at the SOU pool from 1 to 3 pm. Families learn how to use scuba equipment, dive, troubleshoot, and discover a new way of being in water while exploring the interesting and fragile underwater world. Note: All equipment supplied. Fee: $99 per person.
Yoga Family FUNdamentals
Come one, come all for hours of family yoga fun, ages 9 to adult, from 10 to 11:15 am in the SOU Dance Room, Physical Education building, Room 132. Participants find health and balance while learning yoga poses, breathing exercises and soothing relaxation techniques that will inspire the entire family to stretch out. Fee: $68 per family.
Vet Med Camp
Students ages 9 to 14 will explore the world of veterinary medicine from 9 to 11 am at the Campbell Center, Room A. Students will learn behavior training and the basics of the care and handling of a variety of animals. Participants explore the different professions in animal welfare and what it takes to become a veterinarian. A variety of professionals will visit the class for an “ask the expert” and activity session. Students will also visit a local veterinary clinic to spend “a day in the life” of a veterinarian. Fee: $99.
On-Site! Construction
Students ages 11 to 14 learn about the diverse fields of construction and woodworking. The weeklong course is held from 9:00 am to noon in the Campbell building, Room C. Hands-on woodworking projects will help students acquire the skills to succeed in construction and woodworking. This class is packed with activities and fun that will start students on the way toward building their own home. Special scholarships are available. Fee: $139.
"It is a delight to create programs that foster a child's curiosity," said Carol Jensen, director SOU Pre-College Youth Programs.
New RCC/SOU Higher Education Center Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony (8/7/08)
Southern Oregon University (SOU) and Rogue Community College (RCC) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the RCC/SOU Higher Education Center in Medford, Ore. on Sept. 3 at noon. The Center is located at 101 S. Bartlett St.
The RCC/SOU Higher Education Center represents a one-of-a-kind partnership in Oregon. The jointly financed, designed and constructed center will house both RCC and SOU classes, making the student transition from community college to university easier, while accommodating working professionals pursuing higher education.
The ceremony will be followed by an open house from 3 to 7 pm. The public is invited to tour the 68,700-square-foot, three-story building, which includes classrooms, science labs, computer labs, Prometric Testing Center and Business Center.
The Prometric Testing Center will be a complete academic and professional facility that offers a full menu of tests, including the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and the Oregon Life Insurance exam (OLI).
The Business Center integrates RCC and SOU resources to form a one-stop location for workforce training and professional development. From lecture series to customized training, the Business Center offers mentorship programs, workshops and networking opportunities.
Environmentally sustainable practices were key when SOU joined forces with its educational neighbor, RCC, to build the RCC/SOU Higher Education Center.
The Center’s architects employed the latest energy-saving, sustainable practices in the design of the building. Light shelves reflect sunlight into classrooms and offices to provide natural daylight. Light sensors monitor lighting levels and shut off lights when they are not required. The ventilation in rooms is activated in response to CO2 sensors, so energy is not wasted on rooms that don’t require ventilation.
RCC and SOU are also pursuing the possibility of having a photovoltaic (PV) array installed on the roof of the Center to convert solar photo-energy (sunlight) directly into commercial-grade electricity.
RCC and SOU are currently applying for the prestigious LEED Platinum rating. The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leaders in Energy Efficient Development (LEED) Green Building Rating System is nationally recognized as the third-party certification program to rank the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.
The Center also features public commissioned art from nationally notable artists. A 10-member committee selected kinetic sculptor Tim Prentice, metal sculptor Richard Swanson and glass artist Lonnie Feather from a submission pool of more than 100 entries. The Center’s community art was funded as part of the Oregon Art Commission’s mandate that public buildings with a construction or remodeling budget of more than $100,000 spend at least one percent of their budget on commissioned public art.
"This partnership between Southern Oregon University and Rogue Community College is an example I hope others will follow,” said Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. “It shows a strong commitment to meet Oregonians’ diverse educational needs, and I am proud to have supported this unique collaboration."
For more information, please visit rcc-sou.org.
