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University Archives and Special Collections invites you to help us identify people and events from the early days of USI at “USI History Days at the Archives.”

We are preparing to digitize images of USI’s growth and history for an online catalogue. We need your help to identify images in our collection of over 10,000 photographs from the early years to make this project a success.

Enjoy a trip down memory lane and identify people and events from USI’s first 25 years. See how many people you can name in our campus photos. Are you a supporter of USI Athletics? Help us identify teams and athletes.

There will be three different opportunities. Please sign up for one of the following dates and times: Wednesday, July 15 from 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, July 22 from 1 to 4 p.m., or Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These are open, informal sessions, but please register the date you will be attending.

Please send an email to jagreene@usi.edu or call 812/425-1832. University Archives and Special Collections is located on the third floor of the David L. Rice Library.

POST CONTRIBUTED BY JENNIFER GREENE, Reference and Archives librarian in David L. Rice Library.

This summer if you are looking for a safer alternative to DEET-ridden insect repellents, look for natural products with particular essential oils. Some essential oils will repel insects and even help treat insect bites.

There are some things to remember however when using essential oils. Be very cautious with pure oils as they can be harmful to the skin if applied directly without dilution.

For my family I use an aromatherapy spray that contains lemon, clove, and ginseng. It is a premixed spray with essential oils so it can be sprayed directly on the skin and face with no adverse effects.

Also, when using a natural product versus a DEET repellent, be sure to apply more frequently. Many products can be found at local herbal and organic stores in the Tri-state area. Also, check online for natural insect repellents.

Some of the essential oils with insect repellent properties are as follows:

• Citronella
• Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
• Cinnamon Oil
• Castor Oil
• Rosemary Oil
• Lemongrass Oil
• Cedar Oil
• Peppermint Oil
• Clove Oil
• Geranium Oil
• Possibly oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic

Have a fun – and insect-free – summer.

POST CONTRIBUTED BY: JENNIFER TITZER, instructor in radiologic and imaging sciences in the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

A couple of weeks ago, I sent out a campus-wide email about the Fitness Center and programs that we offer during the summer months. Women on Weights (WOW) is one of those programs.

This program will begin Monday, June 1, and run for five weeks. You have a choice of either coming Mondays and Wednesdays after work (4:45 to 5:30 p.m.) or Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch (noon to 12:45 p.m.).

If you get in a bind, the first two days of the week should be the same (Monday/Tuesday) and the second days should also be the same (Wednesdays/Thursdays) – so if you have conflicts with a particular day, we could possibly work around it.

During these five weeks we will talk about all the basics – cardio, strength training, nutrition, and fitness lingo. Each session will have a short “talk” session before you are shown some type of activity. After that, you are welcome to workout with what you are taught that day or over previous weeks – for the remainder of the 45 minutes or longer, if you so desire.

You will be given handouts each week to help you follow along, a workout log, and a folder to keep all your information in. Please keep in mind this is not a personal training session – you won’t get put through a workout each session. We are going to show you the equipment and how to use it and what you need to know in order to put a workout together for yourself.

In order to register for a certain session, all you need to do is contact me by Friday, May 29, and let me know you are interested – and which session you would like to attend. Also – fill out the physical activity readiness questionnaire that I attached to the email I sent out and bring it to the first session you attend. If you did not receive the questionnaire or need one, email me at sgdavis@usi.edu. If you think that you may need a doctor’s clearance for this – please get one! We will keep it on file with all your other information.

We will meet in the stretching area (right behind the front desk) for the first week. Depending on how many people have registered, we may need to move our “talk” session somewhere more conducive. Remember:the temporary entrance for the Fitness Center is on the south side of the building…and you need your eagle access card in order to be let in. So please bring it with you or you won’t be able to join us!

If you have questions, call Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness at 812/461-5270.

I hope to see you soon!

POST CONTRIBUTED BY: SANDI DAVIS, program coordinator in Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness.

Just like the recent Hulu commercials, the iPhone is Apple’s secret weapon to bring the PC world into the Mac fold. I can’t wait! We Mac users have been in the minority of computer users for far too long now. Estimates keep us hovering around just six percent of total computer users. We like to call it the upper six percent.

My belief is that the iPhone is finally going to change that trend for the better. The iPhone’s huge popularity among non-Mac folks is our new gateway drug, our Trojan Horse, our evil plot to take over the PC world. It sneaks into unsuspecting PC owner’s hands and before you know it, they fall in love with the elegant and intuitive interface and the sheer genius of its design. Soon they may decide to check out the full-blown version of its operating system on a desktop or laptop Macintosh. Perhaps this will lead to a future Mac purchase? That’s our ultimate goal.

When I heard the new USI email system upgrade was going to include support for ActiveSync technology I could hardly hold in the excitement. I knew this amazing “Push” technology was going to get even more people excited about the iPhone on campus.

For those that don’t know, Push is the term used for constantly and wirelessly syncing to the mothership. In this case, that’s the USI Exchange 2007 Server. That server keeps all your email, contacts, and calendar. You may think that your data is stored on your local computer, but most of it resides on the server. That’s how you can check your email via the web interface anywhere in the world.

Using Push syncing is just like editing calendars or contacts on your desktop computer. As soon as you make a change on the iPhone, it shows up on your desktop and vice-versa. No more plugging the phone in to sync up – it’s always in sync! As you read email on the phone, the messages are marked read in Outlook. If you add a calendar event or new contact while on the road, when you return they are already in the system, no plugging-in required. You can even accept Outlook meeting requests on the iPhone. An added bonus is you can now send email through the USI Exchange Server. Before the update you had to either turn off Wi-Fi and use the AT&T outgoing email server, or keep Wi-Fi turned on and use another outgoing server such as Google. Everything works as it should now.

The iPhone has been set up since the v2.0 firmware to use ActiveSync via an Exchange Server, so as soon as my email account was moved to the new system I began figuring out how to set it up. With a few settings provided by Carol Schmitt (programmer/analyst 1 in the Computer Center), I was up and going in just a few short minutes. I’ve documented the steps so you too can enjoy this new technology.

Here are the five simple steps to help welcome you new black turtleneck overlords (that’s a Steve Jobs joke, you know, because he always wears black turtleneck sweaters… oh never mind).

Before starting, be sure to delete any POP or IMAP USI email accounts you’ve previously set up.

1.      Go to: Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars. NOTE: You also want to turn on “Push” under Fetch New Data which is essentially instantaneous sync. This does negatively affect battery life.

2.      Select  “Add Account”

3.      Select  “Microsoft  Exchange”

4.      Enter your email address, domain, username, and password as shown then select Next to verify your account. Now enter the Server “exchhub.usi.edu” as shown.

5.      You can now select what you would like to sync. NOTE: If you turn on Contacts or Calendars it will erase your local iPhone data and replace it with data from the Exchange server. NOTE: Select “No Limit” to retrieve ALL your old mail on the server.

Click each step for a larger graphic:

That’s it. To sync music, movies, bookmarks, etc. you will still need a wired connection to a Mac/PC and the latest iTunes software. Enjoy!

POST CONTRIBUTED BY: Chris Norrick, senior graphic artist in Publishing Services.

As some of you know, I have expressed my concern at times over the “futuristic” look of the new Business and Engineering Center and tower in the quadrangle. I apologize for being a “doubter” of our new architecture style for these buildings.

Yes, they are different, but at the topping off ceremony, it dawned on me just how hypocritical my views really were.

We are preparing students for the future! The world is changing so rapidly now that the future our students face will likely be vastly different from what we see today.

I am probably the most vocal advocate for innovation and change on campus, but, sadly, I had not thought that way in terms of the new University architecture. I teach innovative thinking in the classroom, but I did not do what I taught when I looked at the designs for our two new buildings! I am sorry for that.

I have repented! True, we cannot blindly disregard the “traditional” in education or life, but we must embrace the future. While much of the future can be planned, we cannot be so dogmatic in our attachment to the past that we limit our thinking about future possibilities. I have caught the “vision” of our new architecture style.

Change is difficult to get used to at times, but change (like death and taxes) does come!

POST CONTRIBUTED BY: Dr. Les Nunn, associate professor of business law and chair of the Department of Accounting and Business Law.

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

1. Avoid close personal contact.

Avoid close personal contact with people who are sick, and keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.

You should not attend classes or go to work if you are experiencing a fever, vomiting and/or have diarrhea. You are contagious until 24 hours after the symptoms have resolved; i.e., if you last vomited at noon on Monday, you may return to school and/or work after noon on Tuesday.

3. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue immediately after use and wash your hands.

4. Clean your hands.

Washing your hands frequently and often will protect you from germs. You should use an antibacterial soap and rub hands together for at least 30 seconds. Thirty seconds is about the length of time it takes an individual to recite the alphabet or sing “Happy Birthday” twice. When soap and water are not available, alcohol based hand sanitizer may be used.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches a contaminated surface then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Wash contaminated surfaces (sinks, toilet handles, computer mouse, TV remote control, door handles and countertops, etc., with sanitary wipes. Wipe off shopping carts with sanitary wipes before use.

6. Practice other good health habits.

Drink plenty of water – your goal should be eight to ten 8-ounce glasses a day; eat nutritious foods – three to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day; get plenty of sleep – aim for eight hours a night; be physically active – aim for walking 20 minutes a day three times a week; and take steps to manage your stress.

POST CONTRIBUTED BY: LYNN S. SCHNAUTZ, family nurse practitioner in the USI Student Health Center.

An anonymous quote states that music is what feelings sound like. If that is the case, music is proud and amazing! It encompasses the culmination of campus-wide efforts focusing on bringing entertainment to USI in a unique sense.

On Tuesday, April 21, Plain White T’s sang their hearts out to a crowd of 1,000-plus. Following performances by Single File and Danger Radio, they engaged the crowd with hit songs like “Hey There Delilah” and “1234.” The Physical Activities Center was home to this magical night. It was a proud moment for me as the advisor of the Activities Programming Board and the concert was amazing, to say the least!

This event is the largest that the Activities Programming Board has planned in my less than two years at USI. We jumped in head first and took a risk with nothing but excitement and high expectations. A group of 25 APB members worked tirelessly throughout the planning process, and on the big day they really shined. APB members began their shifts at 8 a.m. on Tuesday and didn’t go home until 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning. We were determined to provide nothing but the best for our students!

The concert began at 8 p.m. with an introduction from Atom and Shawnda of Hot 96 kicking off the show. The crowd gathered against the barricades to see what the buzz was all about. The first band, Single File, took the stage nervously. Their management mentioned that USI was a large venue for the group. Fortunately, nerves did not get in the way. They engaged the audience and groups of all ages clapped, jumped around, and managed to sing along to songs that seemed so new.

Danger Radio soon followed and numerous USI students were shocked at the quality of their performance. Several have asked about their return to our campus. It’s a great feeling when positive feedback is the result of going outside of the box with entertainment.

Our icing on the cake was the Plain White T’s. They entertained us with their “Three Part Harmony” show, singing different variations of popular songs. The lead singer, Tom Higgenson, jumped from the stage, interacting with students as they sang in the microphone together. The screams and cheers were almost deafening as several of the event staff stood in PAC 200 watching the show.

The night came to a close with one final song from Plain White T’s. Weeks of hard work ended on a chord from lead guitarist, Tim Lopez. That moment was bittersweet. We ended the show successfully, but the show came to an end. The night seemed to fly by, but what matters most is that the audience was pleased.

I know that this event is the result of collaborative campus efforts; from the USI Bookstore volunteering to sell tickets to Administrative Staff taking time to review contracts. Without the support of campus officials and genuine student interest it would have never been the success that it was. So, from the bottom of the Activities Programming Board’s heart, we thank you, USI!

We hope to see you at more events soon, but what matters most is that the beat goes on.

POST CONTRIBUTED BY: KATHY S. JONES, program advisor for Student Activities

As chair of the Faculty Senate, I want to invite all faculty to the next two Faculty Senate meetings.

A regular meeting of the Faculty Senate will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, April 17, in Room 2027 of the Health Professions Center. The Faculty Senate Spring All-Faculty meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, April 20, in Mitchell Auditorium in the Health Professions Center.

The Faculty Senate wants to share with you! I have been involved in much discussion regarding shared governance at this University and I have realized that many faculty do not realize that what we say and do makes a difference.

Here are some examples of what has occurred in previous academic years when a faculty member or faculty organization initiated changes to the way things are done at USI:

• The fee waiver increased from 50 percent to 75 percent for spouses and dependents of eligible employees. This originated from the Faculty Senate Economic Benefits Committee.

• The Faculty Senate recommended the need for equity increases for associate professors. Also, the Faculty Senate developed a consistent set of peer institutions to which USI can compare itself. These peer institutions are public institutions with similar Carnegie classification.

• There has been increased support for scholarship across all levels of faculty. This occurred through faculty discussions with the provost identifying resources. Examples are the Center for Academic Excellence, an increased number of sabbaticals, and additional funding.

• The tenure and promotion process has been aligned and the effective date of tenure has been moved up.

• The student evaluation of teaching forms changed from Purdue to current form. Via ad-hoc committee and faculty surveys, faculty gave input on what students are capable of evaluating.

These are just a few of the examples of shared governance that I have compiled. I hope to see you on Monday so that we can discuss more of our accomplishments.

POST CONTRIBUTED BY: LESA CAGLE, assistant professor of nutrition and chair of the Faculty Senate.

As May is fast approaching many in the university are thinking thoughts of summer vacations. Members of the myUSI support team, on the other hand, are looking forward to launching their new myUSI site on May 11.

In 2008, USI won over one million dollars in grants from the Campus EAI Consortium to replace the current myUSI portal. Since that time, our team has been hard at work implementing the new myUSI site. We’ve installed server hardware and software. We’ve crafted software links from the portal to Banner Self Service and to the new Blackboard and we’ve written still more software to tie it all together in the background. Throw in getting up to speed on various technologies, testing, and documentation and it’s been a big project. You can see why we’re excited to be approaching the finish the line of this implementation phase and the starting line of working with the system in the wild.

I thought I’d take everyone on a tour of some of the features of our new charge and show you some of the features that we’re excited about.

Email Addresses

With the move to a new myUSI site comes a new email server. This change gave us an opportunity to implement a new email address structure for our users. Addresses will no longer end in @usieagles.org, but will instead end in @mail.usi.edu. Usernames will stay the same across the change, so that johndoe@usieagles.org will become johndoe@mail.usi.edu. Any mail that is sent to the old @usieagles.org addresses after May 11 will automatically be forwarded to the the new @mail.usi.edu addresses.

This change should make it simpler for those with only a myUSI email address to take advantage of educational discounts which had previously required .edu email address for eligibility.

Email Preview

The previous myUSI site only offered a simple preview of the five newest messages in your inbox. It also included links to open those messages, open your mail, compose messages, and check your address book. Generally, it only allowed you the ability to check if new mail was available. Everything else required launching the email application. Here’s a screenshot of the old email preview:

The new preview is deceptively simple looking at first as it just shows the number of unread messages in your mailbox.

However, when you click on the INBOX link, you get  a list of messages currently in your email account.

This simple email client allows you to read any message in any folder in your account. You can also reply to, compose and manage messages without leaving this channel.

You can think of this simplified email client as a place to  dash off a quick message or quickly check up on what’s going on in your mail account.

Full Email Client

On the other hand, if you want more fine grained control over your email and better integration with calendars and instant messaging (IM), you can use the full email client called myUSI Mail. The myUSI Mail client can be accessed by clicking its icon in the Dashboard channel in the new myUSI.

Full Email Client Interface

The full myUSI Mail client is a rich Internet application that behaves more like a desktop program similar to Outlook mail or Thunderbird mail than the previous myUSI email system.

For instance, you can drag messages between folders. Here, I’m dragging a message about a recent auction to an appropriate folder.

It offers many of the features you’d expect in a typical email program, plus the ability to do more advanced messaging tasks like converting a message into a calendar event or task. Here I am creating a calendar event from the auction message that I moved earlier.

Instant Messaging

MyUSI Mail has a built in instant messaging (IM) client. Like any desktop IM program, it will let you know when your friends are online and available to chat (if they’ve authorized you, of course). You can also arrange your contacts, or buddies, into groups that you define.

Your buddy list allows you to easily see which of your friends or colleagues is online and alert notices will float up from the lower right as they come and go.

You simply double click on a buddy that is available in order to start chatting in a separate window.

Calendaring

The last features that I’d like to preview have to do with the calendaring services integrated into the myUSI Mail client. Calendaring has taken a major leap forward with this iteration of the myUSI system. In the day or week view, you just need to click and drag between the times of the event in order to create it. You can also drag events to different times, days, weeks, and months.

You can also create multiple calendars for various contexts. Perhaps creating one for your office hours, one for your class schedule, in addition to maintaining your default calendar. You can then view them as combined or individual calendars and assign different colors for each calendar to help them stand out when in a combined view.

You can also combine the ability to create multiple calendars with the new ability to give permission to others to view, update or busy search any of the calendars that you have created or own. This opens up a lot of possibilities regarding collaboration with fellow students, co-workers, colleagues and groups.

Plus many many more…

These are just a few of the new features available in the new myUSI portal. In the coming weeks and months we’ll be producing guides and screencasts showcasing features and offering tips and tricks to get the most out of the software. We’ll also pass along finds from our users as well.

Getting Ready

Your initial password for the new myUSI system will be your original six digit PIN number after the May 11 changeover. If you haven’t ever changed your password, you should be able to login with your current username and your PIN number. If have changed your password or aren’t sure what your PIN is, you can find it by logging into the current myUSI before May 11th and following the instructions outlined in this screencast or this written guide.

To stay up to date on how to be prepared for the changeover, you should regularly check our myUSI Transition page at http://www.usi.edu/newportal.

There we go into a lot of detail about exactly what is going to happen during the transition. We cover how mail will be handled before and after the change and we talk about other implications and preparations you should make in order to be ready for the changeover.Also individual posts about the myUSI transition can be found in the myUSI Transition section of the myUSI Frequently Asked Questions Site.

If you are use an RSS reader, you can subscribe to this section’s feed by pointing your RSS reader at http://media.myusi.org/myusifaq/section/myusi-transition/feed/.

The myUSI support team is also experimenting with using Twitter as a means of keeping our users informed about system availability and previewing information about the myUSI site. You can follow us as http://twitter.com/myusi.