The University of Toledo

The University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film’s 2010-11 season, “Imprisonment,” will open Friday, Aug. 27, with a film screening.

The films and plays offered during the season will explore imprisonment in its many forms.

“Certainly legal incarceration is one of the threads running through our season,” said Holly Monsos, professor and chair of theatre and film. “But that is only one kind of prison. One’s body can be imprisoned or it can itself be a prison. We can be imprisoned by societal restrictions or by a loved one’s expectations, we can imprison our own souls through guilt or hatred or revenge, or we can devote our lives to freeing others from that which imprisons them.”

The two fall plays to be staged will be “12 Angry Jurors” Oct. 15-17 and 20-24 and “Labyrinth” Nov. 12-14 and 17-21.

Friday film screenings during fall semester will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts Room 1039.

Listed by date, the movies will be:

• Aug. 27 — “I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang (1932, 92 minutes).
A wrongly convicted man serves in the intolerable conditions of a Southern chain gang.

• Sept. 3 — “The Grapes of Wrath” (1940, 128 minutes). A poor Midwest family is forced off their land during the Great Depression.

• Sept. 10 — “Night of the Hunter” (1955, 93 minutes). This movie features a terrifying villain.

• Sept. 17 — “Le Trou” (1960, 132 minutes). The true story of five prison inmates who attempted to escape La Santé Prison in France in 1947.

• Sept. 24 — “The Birdman of Alcatraz” (1962, 147 minutes). A convicted murderer held in permanent isolation becomes a renowned bird expert.

• Oct. 1 — “Scared Straight” (1978, 52 minutes). Documentary about a program that used inmates to “scare” juvenile offenders out of their criminal ways.

• Oct. 29 — “First Blood” (1982, 93 minutes). Falsely accused, Vietnam vet John Rambo begins a one-man war in a small town.

• Oct. 30 — “Mrs. Soffel ” (1984, 112 minutes). A warden’s wife finds herself attracted to a prisoner.

• Nov. 5 — “Poison” (1991, 85 minutes). Three stories by writer/director Todd Haynes that are partially inspired by the novels of Jean Genet.

Admission to each screening is free; $3 donations are requested to help defray costs.

For more information, click here.

The University of Toledo’s librarians want faculty to feel comfortable using the campus libraries.

To help, University Libraries is hosting “Connection Sessions” this fall. These 30-minute seminars will teach how library resources and services can support the work of faculty members.

“We want to empower faculty to use the library more for their research and teaching,” said Jodi Jameson, an instructor and nursing librarian on Health Science Campus. “As librarians, we do in-class instruction and see assignments that sometimes don’t make the best use of library resources. We want faculty to design assignments that take full advantage of library resources while meeting their class objectives.”

The sessions, which will run from September through December, will be held from noon to 12:30 p.m. at both Carlson Library on Main Campus and Mulford Library on Health Science Campus.

Sessions will be held monthly on the first Wednesday for Main Campus and the first Thursday for Health Science Campus. Dates and topics will be:

• Sept. 1 (Carlson) and Sept. 2 (Mulford) — Designing Effective Library Assignments: Tips to Create Library Assignments That Utilize the Libraries’ Many Resources.

• Oct. 6 (Carlson) and Oct. 7 (Mulford) — Accessing Full-Text Articles: Training on How to Access Articles From Library Research Databases and Online Journal Collections.

• Nov. 3 (Carlson) and Nov. 4 (Mulford) — Using OhioLINK and Interlibrary Loan: Instruction on Requesting Books and Articles From Other Libraries Across the State or Around the World.

• Dec. 1 (Carlson) and Dec. 2 (Mulford) — Using EndNote: Training on the Use of the Free Download That Assists in Formatting Manuscripts and Citations.

These sessions will benefit any faculty member or health-care staff member who wants to make the most of their library experiences, Jameson said.

“There’s a lot of information out there and it can be intimidating if you don’t use the library every week,” she added. “These sessions will show how the library can save you time and frustration when it comes to doing research.”

This is the first year the library is offering these sessions for faculty. If successful, more sessions could be offered next year.

For more information, visit www.utoledo.edu/library/info/news.html or call Carlson Library at 419.530.2324 or Mulford Library at 419.383.4218.

While some students purchase their textbooks from the University Bookstore, view apartments through Craigslist, and buy their furniture off e-Bay, Dane Theisen and Josh Marvin, UT seniors majoring in international business and marketing, are providing another option.

After noticing the struggle students went through to sell back their books, Theisen and Marvin created and launched MyCollegeStuff.net to offer another outlet for those selling and buying various goods.

While gaining sponsorship through Campus Village Communities, College Ruled, Olde Towne Campus Square and Taylor Kia, the pair has been able to offer students the opportunity to buy and sell textbooks, furniture, cars and electronics, as well as trade information about area apartments and jobs.

“We created MyCollegeStuff.net to revolutionize the way college students save money in all aspects of their college career. We provide them with a way to connect with their peers,” Marvin said.

According to the website, MyCollegeStuff.net is “more than just a place to sell your stuff”; it is also a marketing space for student organizations and campus events.

Theisen credits his mother for sparking his interest in business.

“As a kid, I always wanted to own a business or to become a CEO of a large corporation. When I was 13, my mom passed away but my ambition and determination did not die. I just wanted to do something good with my life to make her proud,” Theisen said.

Last week they launched a new hub, For Students By Students, located at the old Campus Village clubhouse, 1500 College Drive in Toledo.

“The MyCollegeStuff hub will provide a controlled environment where students can exchange their goods with other students,” Thiesen said. “Stuff also can be left at our location, and we will try to sell it for you.”

For more information, contact Theisen or Marvin at 517.920.1009 and 419.944.4160, respectively, or visit their blog at www.mycollegestuffnet.blogspot.com.

Music fans of all ages and geographies are invited to attend Music Fest 2010, The University of Toledo’s free inaugural event, from 3 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, across from the Memorial Field House on UT’s Main Campus.

The event will kick off with a performance by local student rock band MAS FiNA.
Other bands to perform will be reggae group Universal Xpression, jazz artist Alexander Zonjic with Thornetta Davis and the Motor City Horns, and Motown legend Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Ending the evening with a bang will be alternative rock band We the Kings followed by a fireworks show. UT’s student radio station WXUT will entertain between sets.

The schedule will be:

• 3 p.m. — MAS FiNA
• 4:30 p.m. — Universal Xpression
• 5:30 p.m. — Pep Rally for UT Football Team
• 6 p.m. — Alexander Zonjic with Thornetta Davis and the Motor City Horns
• 7:30 p.m. — Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
• 9 p.m. — We the Kings
• 10 p.m. — Fireworks

Formed in 2003 in Bradenton, Fla., We the Kings named itself after King Middle School, which the band members all attended. The quartet’s self-titled debut came out in 2007, and the group released its second disc, Smile Kid, in 2009. The band’s song, “We’ll Be a Dream” featuring Demi Lovato, has made the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In addition to the music, a pep rally is scheduled for the football team at 5:30 p.m. The team, along with Head Football Coach Tim Beckman, UT cheerleaders, the Rocket Marching Band, and Rocky the Rocket, will help psyche up fans to beat the Arizona Wildcats in the Glass Bowl Friday, Sept. 3, at 8 p.m.

Food vendors selling gyros, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, pitas and hummus, funnel cakes and elephant ears will be on hand as well.

“We haven’t had a pep rally in years,” said Amelia Acuna, assistant director in the Office of Undergraduate Admission and leader of the Culture Ambassadors program committee that led the event’s planning. “We really want to get students pumped for the football game and make sure no one heads home for Labor Day and misses a Rocket win.”

Music Fest 2010 was organized in part to encourage students to stay on campus Labor Day weekend and fill the stadium to cheer on the football team, as the Rockets will play before a national ESPN audience, Acuna said.

“This collection of musicians truly offers something for every musical taste in the community,” said Alexander Zonjic, artistic director of Music Fest 2010. “Whether you come for the day or just stay for a couple of acts, this will be a great celebration of music, and you can’t beat the price!”

Music Fest marks the second concert organized by the Culture Ambassadors, a group put together by Lawrence J. Burns, UT vice president for external affairs and interim vice president for equity and diversity. A Mother’s Day brunch and jazz concert with Zonjic took place last spring.

“There are so many positive things happening on this campus every day and, especially during tough times, it’s important to not let challenges overwhelm so many of the things we should be celebrating,” Burns said. “And with students coming back to class and an exciting football season on the horizon, we have a lot to celebrate.”

“We want Music Fest to become an annual event for people to look forward to,” Acuna added.

Along with The University of Toledo Culture Ambassadors, this event is sponsored by The Blade, Campus Activities and Programming, WXUT, Verizon, the Division of External Affairs, the Division of Student Affairs, and the Student Alumni Association.

The University of Toledo’s College of Nursing is on a roll.

The Ohio Board of Nursing issued full approval recently for three of the college’s programs — an honor one year after the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) reviewed the college and assessed it as outstanding. CCNE is the national accrediting body for baccalaureate and higher-degree nursing education programs.

The most recent distinction means that the college’s Clinical Nurse Leader Master of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the UT/Bowling Green State University Bachelor of Science in Nursing Consortium programs are in full compliance with the requirements specified in Chapter 4723-5 of the Ohio Administrative Code.

During such visits, the Ohio Board of Nursing site visit evaluation team interviews students enrolled in the respective programs and faculty and college administrators to assure the programs are in compliance with the rules, policies and expectations set forth in the Ohio Administrative Code.

The team members review the pre-survey site nursing report, resources in the site visit resource room, and other college records in order to provide a summary report for the Ohio Board of Nursing.

“I am so proud of the leading work that we are doing in the College of Nursing,” said Dr. Timothy Gaspar, dean of the college. “Our professional peers as well as the accrediting and approval agencies recognize the wonderful contributions we are making to nursing and health care.”

He expressed gratitude for the college faculty and students who worked with the evaluation team from the Ohio Board of Nursing, and credited the reorganization of the college as “another bold step by faculty to position us for the ever-changing future of our discipline of nursing and in health-care delivery.”

The college’s next initial accreditation site visit by CCNE will take place in April for the UT/Wright State University Doctor of Nursing Practice Consortium Program.

The University of Toledo has extended some of its safety and security services to Health Science Campus.

A total of seven Code Blue emergency phones were installed on the campus this summer in high-traffic areas, including near the entrance to UT Medical Center and outside the Health Education Building. When activated, the phones provide an almost instantaneous link to the police communication center, where the dispatcher immediately knows the caller’s location.

“The Health Science Campus did have some emergency call boxes, but we thought that the locations were not in the most accessible places and they could use an upgrade to the University standards,” UT Police Chief Jeff Newton said.

The phones can be used for non-emergencies, too, such as to request an escort, report a suspicious person or circumstance, obtain access to a building or room, or ask for motorist assistance.

The University also is extending its Night Watch escort service to Health Science Campus.

Previously, a security officer would provide an escort when requested, but the wait could be long if the officer was busy with another duty, Newton said.

Night Watch offers two-person teams of escorts equipped with two-way radios to keep in contact with a police dispatcher as they accompany a person to any parking lot or campus building.

The escort service operates from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To request a Night Watch escort, call 419.530.3024 and a team will be sent to your location.

In the beginning, Night Watch will remain based on Main Campus and will travel to Health Science Campus when there are requests. That could change depending on where the greatest numbers of calls are, said UT Police Capt. Julie Rightnowar. Most Night Watch customers are students at the library who need a ride back to their residence halls.

The addition of both the emergency phones and escort service to Health Science Campus are a result of UT Police working with student groups and listening to their requests.

Don’t let those who perform exemplary acts of community service get lost in the bustle of a new semester.

There’s plenty of time to honor that unsung hero in your life with a Jefferson Award Champion nomination.

Nominating is simple: Go to UT’s Jefferson Awards Web page here. This month’s nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25.

The Jefferson Awards program recognizes members of the UT community who give their time and talents to charitable organizations — local, national and international. Each recipient receives a certificate and a medallion from the national Jefferson Awards organization, in addition to a well-deserved pat on the back.

UT President Lloyd Jacobs invites students, faculty and staff to mingle with him at two events and get the school year off to a great start.

He will host the President’s Backyard Barbecue Wednesday, Aug. 25, and the annual President’s Tailgate Friday, Sept. 3.

“This is a tremendously exciting time of year when we welcome back our returning students, faculty and staff and greet new members of our University family,” Jacobs said. “Events such as these help get our school year off to a positive start and promote a culture of engagement where students, faculty and staff are involved and build those important connections for success.”

The President’s Barbecue will take place during the Student Activities Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in Centennial Mall on Main Campus.

Students can grab a free hot dog, meet Jacobs, and find out about the more than 200 student organizations at the University.

And just before the Rockets take on the Arizona Wildcats at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept., 3, the President’s Tailgate Party will get everyone ready for the game. Stop by between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. outside Rocket Hall.

The president and his wife, Ola, will be there to meet and interact with students in the tent. There will be free eats — hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers — plus music by a DJ. The Student Recreation Center’s intramural staff will run a trivia game, giving away candy and prizes to the winners.

The UT Rocket Marching Band and cheerleaders also will make an appearance, and students will have the opportunity to make posters and put on spirit tattoos before heading over to the Glass Bowl for the game.

Click here to RSVP or share this event with your friends on Facebook.

Fans of country music have a treat coming to Main Campus.

Country singer and fiddler Natalie Stovall will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, in the Student Union Auditorium.

Stovall started playing the violin at the age of 4 and began her musical career at 10 as a performer with the Opryland Kid’s Club.

She went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she formed a country band called Green Line South and released her first independent album.

Stovall has performed for former President George W. Bush and on “The Oprah Show,” as well as at the Grand Ole Opry.

She is promoting her new album, Standing My Ground, released in June.

A larger, updated Starbucks in the Student Union is one of a number of campus upgrades students, faculty and staff can expect for the new school year.

The renovated coffee shop will be more efficient with two cash registers, offer hot food options, and has new tables and chairs for patrons.

There also is more space in the walkway as the counter has been pushed back a few feet, and there is more room for the baristas behind the counter to complete orders because the kitchen has been moved off to the side.

“We heard our customers and wanted to make it a better experience for them,” said Joy Gramling, director of Auxiliary Services.

The Starbucks had been closed since July 8 for renovations, but Subway offered select Starbucks coffee during the interim.

That renovation project is just one of a number that Auxiliary Services worked on during the summer to better serve students, faculty and staff.

Also in the Student Union, the food court area has upgraded furniture with new tables, chairs and stools.

At the request of students, iCrave Pizza @ The Crossings has been renovated into more of a convenience store that will have a grill and extended menu, including pizza, sandwiches and other options.

A new Pallette Café at Ottawa East replaced Einstein Bros. Bagels with café offerings of soups, sandwiches and salads.

And a separate door directly to the Carter Hall POD, Provisions On Demand, will offer easier access to that store.

“We work to continually upgrade our services to provide students with the best options,” Gramling said. “It’s been a busy summer, but we look forward to offering these additional services to our campus community.”

With the renovation of Rocket Hall, some of the aspects of Auxiliary Services have a new home.

Rocket Hall Room 1917 is now the place for MyPICs, which stands for meal plans, parking, IDs and cellular. The office will be open from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday, and from 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Rocket Wireless also is scheduled to be open on select Saturdays.

The administrative offices for Auxiliary Services are now in Rocket Hall Room 1610.