October 2008 Archives

The University of Southern Mississippi Libraries provide access to print and electronic resources for scholarly research, instruction, and non-profit educational use.  The University Libraries observe all applicable copyright law in providing resources to its users and expects that these users will abide by the copyright terms and conditions of each resource.  The University Libraries do not condone unauthorized use of copyrighted materials such as excessive photocopying of print material or downloading, uploading or sharing of music or video files from the libraries' computers.

Reserves and Fair Use Copyright Guidelines
The purpose of the course reserve system is to facilitate access to a resource needed for instructional use by students.  When providing either paper or electronic reserves, the University Libraries observe the Fair Use provisions of the United States Copyright Act of 1976.  Section 107 of the Copyright Act addresses the fair use of materials and allows that limited copying and reproduction of copyrighted resources for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship or research, is not an infringement of copyright.  In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use, the factors to be considered include:
•    the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
•    the nature of the copyrighted work;
•    the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
•    the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
The University Libraries have developed the following specific interpretation of fair use which will be applied to submissions for class reserves.  The libraries will:
•    process no more than one copied article from a given journal issue per class;
•    process no more than one copied chapter from a given book (not to exceed 10% of the whole book) per class;
•    remove all copied reserve materials after one semester and will not place the same material on reserve two semesters in a row;
•    reproduce only materials owned by University Libraries or by the instructor.
Outside of these conditions, the University Libraries will pursue the necessary permissions to reproduce requested materials and place them on reserve as a service to faculty.  The University Libraries will endeavor to pay all necessary royalties and fees to provide this service to faculty, however, some cost sharing may be required due to budget limitations.  If permission to copy is denied, the University Libraries will not post the materials.  Permissions are obtained through the nonprofit Copyright Clearance Center.   For more information on CCC and copyright, see http://www.copyright.com/.


Information on Reserves - for Instructors

Placing Material on Reserve
•    Bring material to be placed on reserve to the Reserve Desk in the appropriate library and complete the reserve form, or submit an online Reserve Request Form at http://www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/reserves2.php.  The University Libraries are not responsible for damage to, or loss of, personal copies placed on reserve.

Preparing Submissions for Print or Media Reserves
•    Include complete and accurate citation information for each item on the first page of a photocopy.
•    Include the original copyright statement.  This information is usually found on the back of the title page.  For journal articles, if the copyright statement is not found on the first page of the article itself, look on the inside front cover of the journal.
•    Supply clear and legible photocopies with half-inch margins.
•    Remove book jackets from personal books.
•    Include only one citation per document.

Preparing Submissions for Electronic Reserves
•    Include complete and accurate citation information for each item on the first page of a photocopy.
•    Include the original copyright statement.  This information is usually found on the back of the title page.  For journal articles, if the copyright statement is not found on the first page of the article itself, look on the inside front cover of the journal.
•    Photocopies must be one-sided, 8½ x 11 inch paper, be clear and legible with half-inch margins, and have no black margins or shadows.
•    Pages must be free of any tape or attached pieces of paper.
•    Include only one citation per document.
•    Individual readings must be from one source. If a course reading is comprised of materials from more than one source, divide it into separate readings before submitting it to reserves (entire course packs are not eligible).
•    Student papers must be accompanied by a permission letter authorizing the paper to be placed on reserve or the student names must be redacted.

Submission Date Guidelines
Processing time for reserve materials is generally within two working days, except during the first three weeks of the semester when processing may take three working days.

Loan Periods
For print or media reserves, instructors may assign a loan period of:
•    3 hours
•    overnight
•    3 days
•    7 days
Electronic reserves are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Links to Full-text Articles
E-reserves are generally made available in PDF format.  However, reserves staff utilize links to full-text online versions available in the libraries' collections whenever possible.  This eliminates any potential accessibility and copyright issues.  Please indicate such online availability if it is known to exist.

This policy is effective 10/20/08 and will be reviewed by University offices as necessary.

Goal #1  - Champion the arts and humanities to make them accessible and available to the entire community as a valued local resource

Goal #2 - Orchestrate change in programs to provide more opportunities for students to gain practical or applied experiences relevant to their academic or career goals.

Goal #3 - Augment resources, and/or improve efficiencies to provide greater support for teaching and research

Goal #4 - Launch our faculty, staff, and students through systematic programs of advising and mentoring.

Dr. von Herrmann, John Sherk
John Sherk discussed fundraising at the university, college, and departmental level. He explained that donors make donations for varying reasons (i.e. connecting with a specific program, professor, department, etc.). John Sherk and Dr. von Herrmann explained how the university's annual fund consists of students calling alumni for donations. Dr. Tardy reported that most chairs are confused or unaware of their department's foundation accounts.

Dr. von Herrmann reported that she will be meeting with David Wolf later today and will request: a list of accounts with current balances, quarterly updates and the script used for annual fundraising. She also reported that the College's strategic plan would become more detailed after the university's strategic plan is completed.

Dr. von Herrmann recommended there be ongoing meetings to discuss development issues once a month or at minimum, every six weeks. Others agreed that more discussion is needed. Dr. Campbell reported that chairs would like to be included in major decisions such as student retention, and Dr. von Herrmann reported that she would communicate that to the Provost.

Dr. von Herrmann reported that a link to the four goals for the College of A&L would be provided in the Thursday update email. She also reported that she would move forward with the search for a new associate dean given that no objections were voiced.

Dr. von Herrmann provided a handout from the Provost's office and explained how any noncredit programs must be reported to the Office of Professional Development and Educational Outreach (OPDEO).

Action: Dr. von Herrmann requested that chairs/directors 1) develop their departments newsletters and get a list of alumni from the Foundation to use for mailing information to alumni about departmental events. 

As done in the past, students have been assigned specific enrollment appointments for spring 2009 pre-registration.

If the Eligible to Enroll flag has been checked YES for the spring 2009 term, the student and advisor will be able to see the specific time for registration for that student in the student center.

 

Once registration opens for the student, it remains open until October 31 @ 10:00 pm.

Provost Update
Dr. von Herrmann
Midterm rosters have been generated. Also, final rosters for August mini-courses are ready for grades to be entered. Please check midterm rosters because the university did not drop students due to lack of payment, therefore those students who are not attending need to be contacted by the business office.

Southern Miss's CARES program, which stands for Southern Miss Campus Action Referral and Evaluation Response System, is in place to handle crisis situations where a student is in danger of harming his/herself or others. Deena Crawford and Eddie Holloway have made forms available at www.usm.edu/counseling. To access the form, go to the website and click below "Are you worried about the behavior of a Southern Miss student?" located on the right hand side of the website (above contact information). The form is helpful in explaining how to approach students who appear to be in crisis (i.e. if the student appears to be crying repeatedly, the student's grades have dropped), how to encourage them or walk them to the counseling center, and how to follow-up to ensure that they sought counseling.

Possible USM courses to teach at PRCC--student surveys were given at PRCC,
and students are more focused on taking education courses from USM, not our
courses, at the present time.

Dr. von Herrmann discussed a list of academically unchallenging courses. Out of 60 courses in our college in which 99% of students earned an "A," those courses typically are participation courses such as band. Dr. von Herrmann reported having no concerns about the courses and she does not think any action should be taken.

Big change--Gulf Coast will trial run a 4-day commuter friendly teaching schedule where students will take either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday classes beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Gulf Coast will continue with MWF classes as needed, and language courses will need to be incorporated into the new schedule. The new schedule was created due to students on the coast loading up on T/TH classes to accommodate commute times. It is a 4-day teaching schedule and not to be confused with a 4-day workweek.

The Provost has instituted a new system where each college sends brag points to the dean at then end of each month.
 
Action: Dr. von Herrmann requested points be sent to her and she will balance them between academic departments.
By: Chairs and Directors, or Administrative Assistants.
Date Due: By the end of each month.
__________

E-verify
Russ Willis
In July, 2008, the MS Employment Protection Act passed and requires that all employers verify that new employees are legal to work in the U.S. The new E-verify software is connected with Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The MS state law requires that we use E-verify within 3 days of hiring a new employee. Human Resources needs help with students who are hired as employees.

Action: Please send hired students to either Student Employment or HR office to fill out an I-9 form, regardless of where their PAF or paperwork may be in the process. This applies only to new hires or former employees who have not worked within the past year. It also applies to graduate assistants and work study students, but not to scholarship students. The September payroll has been done, therefore Fall 2008 semester students should have already completed an I-9 form.
By: Chairs and Directors, or Administrative Assistants.
Date Due: Within 3 days of hiring employee/student
__________

Honors Day
Jerry Ross
Honors Day is Friday of this week. The Honors Day format changed this year. We will go to the students at the Thad Cochran Center, room 216 at 1 p.m. We will take our display board and materials, and if you have anything you would like displayed, or any materials, please give them to Jerry to bring. You can send more than one faculty member. Dr. Rackoff reported that students have requested tours of the Theatre and Dance Department.  Jerry will follow up with Susan in Admissions regarding tours of the Theatre and Dance Department. 

Action: Attend Honors Day at Cochran Center, room 216 at 1 p.m.
By: At least one or more representatives from each department. 
Date Due: October 10, 2008, 1 p.m., Thad Cochran Center, room 216
__________

New Organization
Dr. von Herrmann
Dr. von Herrmann reported that there has been a significant change in the university's structure. The division of undergraduate studies split, with Dr. Kara Craig reporting directly to the Provost as of January 1, 2009. The College of Arts and Letters will continue advising undeclared majors. A meeting will be scheduled to work out times, and we hope to hire a full-time staff member to be trained as an academic advisor to handle the undeclared majors. More on that soon.

A handout was provided to explain the new structure of the College of Arts and Letters. Dr. Campbell reported concerns about the new organizational flow. All parties agreed that further discussion is needed and a meeting was called for next Tuesday.  John Sherk will be included in the meeting.

Action: Dr. von Herrmann requested that they meet to talk about the broader strategic plan of the college, and what, if any, structural changes need to be made.  Dr. von Herrmann also requested that the chairs/directors think about what they would like to occur on the Gulf Coast over the next 3 to 5 years.
By: Chairs and Directors
Date Due: October 14, 2008, 8:30 a.m., Chairs and Directors meeting
__________

Other Business
Dr. von Herrmann
Breaking the Veils exhibit--Dr. von Herrmann encouraged people to attend, reported that it is free and the hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wed. through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thurs., and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. There will be a recital on Thursday night at the Depot, and there will be a photography exhibit in the lobby of PAC for the rest of the semester. The Honorable Wyche Fowler, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia will speak November 18 at 6:30 p.m., (location TBA).

The Learning Enhancement Center is pleased to offer an opportunity which will assist faculty in the use of instructional technologies in the classroom through funding individual instructional mini-grants at $500 per faculty member, with 10 total awards distributed across campus.

Leila Salisbury, director of the University Press of Mississippi, will speak to interested faculty and staff at noon Thursday, Oct. 9, in Cook Library 123. Bring your lunch; we'll provide tea and cookies.

Salisbury will give a brief overview and the Press and its operations and speak about scholarly publishing more generally, including trends, digital publishing, etc. She will be happy to answer questions about developing projects, the peer review process, and also about how the Press can serve as a publishing resource for information and suggestions about the publication process. She will be available for individual meetings after the talk to discuss specific book projects.

The University Press of Mississippi is a consortium press supported by and representing Mississippi's eight state universities. UPM publishes scholarly books of the highest distinction and books that interpret the south and its culture to the nation and the world. The Press specializes in a number of scholarly disciplines, including African American studies, history, literary studies, film and popular culture, and comics studies. The director is also particularly interested in working with faculty to develop high quality general interest books about the state and its history and culture.