CALU OCT 2012.qxp_03-24-08 CAL U JOURNAL.qxd 9/26/12 10:23 AM Page 1
California University
VOLUME 14, NUMBER 24 OCT. 1, 2012 READ THE JOURNAL ONLINE: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal
‘Debate Watch’ Encourages Discussion alifornia University is keeping an eye on the presidential debates. For the third time in its history, Cal U will participate in Debate Watch, a nationwide program held under the auspices of the Commission on Presidential Debates. Students, faculty, staff and members of the public will gather to view the televised debates between the major-party candidates for president and vice president of the United States. When each debate ends, faculty and student facilitators at the Debate Watch site will lead an open discussion of the candidates, their performance and the issues they raised. Cal U broke ground in 2004 by becoming the first university or community group to hold “watch parties” for all four debates. This year the University once again will hold Debate Watch events for all three presidential debates and the vice-presidential face-off. The campus community is invited to attend these Debate Watch events, which are sponsored by the American Democracy Project at Cal U: First Presidential Debate: 9 p.m. Oct. 3, with facilitators Dr. Patricia Milford, Kembia Munsanje and Cameron Cochran. Vice-Presidential Debate: 9 p.m. Oct. 11, with facilitators Dr. Kelton Edmonds and Mario Coppola. Second Presidential Debate: 9 p.m. Oct. 16, with facilitators Dr. Melanie Blumberg, LaMont Coleman, Joy Helsel and Camilla Cionni. Third Presidential Debate: 9 p.m. Oct. 22, with facilitators Dr. Gwendolyn PerryBurney and Charles Gilliam-Brownlee. All Debate Watch events will be held in Room 110, Eberly Hall. Admission is free, and the public may attend. Discussions are held in the spirit of Cal U’s core values: integrity, civility and responsibility. For more information, contact Dr. Melanie Blumberg at blumberg@calu.edu .
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Chris Johnston, executive director of Parking and Transportation, exits the Campus Loop shuttle. The Pennsylvania Parking Association has honored Cal U with its Excellence in Parking Operations and Management Award.
Parking System Wins Honor he Pennsylvania Parking Association recently honored Cal U’s Department of Parking and Transportation for its implementation of a managed parking system on campus. The Excellence in Parking Operations and Management Award was presented Sept. 20 at the PPA’s annual autumn conference, held at the Circuit Center in Pittsburgh. The award recognizes the department’s efforts to organize and execute an entirely new managed parking and transportation system at Cal U. The campus-wide managed parking system began in fall 2010. The PPA consists of 150 Pennsylvania parking industry professionals. Representing the fields of architecture, engineering, operations, management and construction, the PPA is considered one of the strongest
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professional parking organizations in the nation. “It is wonderful to see our commitment and vision being honored by this organization. President Jones and I are very proud of the entire team who played a part,” said Robert Thorn, vice president of Administration and Finance at Cal U. “Over the past two years, a dedicated team of individuals in the offices of Administration and Finance, Accounting, Bursar, Parking and Transportation, and Payroll have committed countless hours to launching a customer-friendly and technologically advanced parking and permit system. “Throughout this project, we have been committed to continuous improvement of the system and processes. This award acknowledges that commitment.”
Cal U’s Parking and Transportation department was selected from among nearly 20 candidates for the award. Judges sought to identify projects that exemplify the industry’s best efforts and showcase best practices and policies. “This award truly represents the best of the best for successful implementation by a university, accomplished with persistence and fortitude,” said Jamie Sweigart, PPA president. He also praised Chris Johnston, Cal U’s executive director of Parking and Transportation. “In our own careers, many of us may never face the challenges presented to Cal U,” Sweigart said. “This award (acknowledges) what is possible using innovative systems and quality leadership, as demonstrated by Mr. Johnston and his staff.” — Continued on page 2
Students to Star in Free ‘Street Magic’ Show orget the cheesy boxes, scarves and top hats. This is jaw-dropping, close-up magic — and it’s about to appear on the Cal U campus. Nate Staniforth will bring his award-winning “street magic” and multimedia stage show to Cal U as part of Homecoming festivities next week. The performance at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 in the Convocation Center is free to students, alumni, Cal U employees and local residents. Staniforth is known across the country for staging “campus invasions” at colleges and
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universities. He arrives early with a video camera and spends the day filming as he performs close-up magic for small groups of students. Video highlights — and the students’ reactions — become part of the evening’s stage show, which combines stunning illusions, original music, audience participation and video to create a oneof-a-kind multimedia presentation. “I’m here to show the audience something they won’t ever forget,” Staniforth has said. The family-friendly show is presented by — Continued on page 3
Nate Staniforth will bring his awardwinning ‘street magic’ and multimedia show to Cal U’s Convocation Center at 7 p.m. Oct. 9.