News Release: Campus and Bidwell Mansion Arboretum Tours November 20, 27 Feature Native and Exotic Plants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 20, 2007
CONTACT: Joe Wills
Tel: 530-898-4143
Gary Vercruse, Manager of Grounds
530-898-6222

Campus and Bidwell Mansion Arboretum Tours November 20, 27 Feature Native and Exotic Plants

California State University, Chico and Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park are jointly offering tours of their extensive collection of native and exotic trees and shrubs on November 20 and 27. The easy and informative walks will begin at the gazebo in front of Bidwell Mansion Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and last until 11:30 a.m.

Each tour will cover a different group of plants on the mansion and university grounds and will be led by horticulturists and botanists from the University. Included will be the magnificent southern magnolia, located in front of the mansion, which was planted by General Bidwell in 1863 preparatory to the building of the mansion some years later. South of the mansion, along Sowilleno Avenue, the Bidwells planted American chestnuts, some of which remain and still produce delicious nuts. Other noteworthy specimens to be seen are monkey puzzle tree (from Chile), bunya bunya (from Australia), dawn redwood (from China) and water oak (southern U.S.).

Along the south side of Chico Creek, Bidwell planted various oaks that still survive. In 1887, when the State Normal School was established in Chico, California incense cedars and London plane (sycamore) were planted on the west and south sides of the original administration building; a half dozen of these remain, including the striking plane tree in front of Kendall Hall, sometimes referred to as the “Founders’ Tree.” Recent tree plantings include red chestnut, black tupelo, cutleaf zelkova and many others. Unusual old shrubs include several in front of the mansion: cockspur coral from Brazil, a white-flowered magnolia from China, and strawberry bush from southern France.

The complete news release is available online.

Archived under News on November 21, 2007

News Release: CSU, Chico to Host Northern California Botanists 2008 Symposium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 19, 2007
CONTACT: Joe Wills
Tel: 530-898-4143
Kristina Schierenbeck, Department of Biological Sciences

CSU, Chico to Host Northern California Botanists 2008 Symposium

Symposium—Northern California Plant Life: Celebrating What We Have With an Eye to the Future, Jan. 14-16, 2008, on the CSU, Chico campus.

The 2008 Symposium will attract hundreds of professional botanists, scholars, plant biologists and students who will participate in a full schedule of peer-led sessions, poster presentations and networking opportunities.

Session topics will focus on several emerging issues in the field, including new ecological discoveries, mitigation and restoration efforts, vegetation mapping, ethnobotany and the effects of global climate change on Northern California’s plant species.

The complete news release is available online.

Archived under News on November 21, 2007

News Release: Natural History Museum Plan Approved by Trustees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 19, 2007
CONTACT: Joe Wills
Tel: 530-898-4143
Greg Liggett, Northern California Natural History Museum
530-898-4121

Natural History Museum Plan Approved by Trustees

The California State University Board of Trustees Nov. 14 approved the building plan of the Northern California Natural History Museum (NCNHM) at CSU, Chico during their regular November meeting in Long Beach.

The trustees reviewed the museum plan, along with other proposed campus building projects, and approved the architectural plans and scope of the museum. This action allows officials to officially move forward with the building process.

The museum building will be built on CSU, Chico land adjacent to Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park near downtown Chico. The total museum project is expected to be approximately $6 million, with funds coming from a combination of a state grant and private donations.

The complete news release is available online.

Archived under News on November 21, 2007

Kindergarten Faire--Nov. 29

The Associated Students Children’s Center Child Development Laboratory at California State University, Chico is sponsoring a free Kindergarten faire, open to the public.

Representatives from area kindergartens, including alternative, traditional, and private programs, will be present to offer information and answer questions about their educational programs.

Date and Time: Thurs., Nov. 29, 5:30 pm
Location: Bell Memorial Union (BMU) Auditorium, California State University, Chico
Cost: Free
Contact: Stephanie Williams 898-5865

Archived under Events on November 21, 2007

ASID White Elephant Sale Fundraiser - Nov. 28

ASID Student Chapter (American Society of Interior Designers) is holding their Annual White Elephant Sale Fundraiser on Wed., Nov. 28 from 11am - 5pm in Ayres 101. There will be great bargains on clothing, shoes, jewelry, posters, music, collectables, various household items and more - so come shop ‘til you drop. We’re also selling our “Go Green.” t-shirts for $12 each. Come get one before they’re gone.

Archived under Events on November 21, 2007

World AIDS Day Events

The Butte County World AIDS Day Planning Committee and California State University, Chico invite you to be part of 2007 World AIDS Day of Butte County, which will take place on Thurs., Nov. 29 and Friday, Nov. 30. All activities are free to the public. Donations will benefit the local HIV Emergency Food Closet as well as future HIV/AIDS awareness programs and activities.

On Nov. 29, the University will be holding an information fair on the first floor of the Bell Memorial Union (BMU) Mall from 10 am to 5 pm; as well as an evening candlelight vigil ceremony/walk starting at 6 pm in the CSU, Chico Free Speech Area to honor those living with HIV/AIDS and those that have lost the fight with the disease. A reception at Selvester’s Café-by-the-Creek on the University campus will be held directly following the vigil/walk and will showcase local HIV Quilts.

On Friday, Nov. 30 the World AIDS Day Planning Committee is hosting a concert benefit at the Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) Center from 6pm to 10pm to raise funds for the local HIV Emergency Food Closet. Our entertainment stage will showcase presentations by Dr. Mark Lundberg, Butte County Health Officer; Dr. Abdullah Al-Dwairi, leading physician in the fields of HIV and Hepatitis C infection; and special guest Roy Weber. Musical guests will include Kouyaté Lansana featuring the West African Drumming/Dance Troop; Perry Johnson, Mike Joyce, Bill Teague & Tiffany Stultz of Joyce Johnson; and the Rockhounds.

Contact Tray Robinson (898-4764) for more information.

Archived under Events on November 21, 2007

CAVE Student Leader Positions Now Available

Are you a motivated student searching for a way to gain valuable experience? Do you enjoy working in an office of diverse personalities while gaining valuable leadership skills applicable to a variety of job settings? Well then CAVE is the place for you.

We are currently accepting applications for Coordinator & Group Leader positions for many of the 22 different programs we offer. CAVE staff members are responsible for interviewing, screening, and supervising large numbers of volunteers. In addition to receiving significant leadership experience staff members receive 3 units of credit, attend a retreat before the start of the spring semester, a banquet at the end of the semester, & also make lasting friendships with some of the 70+ fellow staff members.

You can pick up your application today in BMU 309. Have questions? Call 898-5817 for more info.

Archived under Opportunities on November 21, 2007

Volunteer for the Greendance Film Festival

Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Your help is needed to help organize the Greendance Film Festival that will take place within the Chico community the last week in February. If you are interested in being involved, meetings are held every Friday at Selvester’s Café from 2pm - 3pm. Meetings will occur weekly at this time and location. For more information contact Jillian at jbuckholz@csuchico.edu.

Archived under Opportunities on November 21, 2007

Focus the Nation Volunteers Needed

Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Your help is needed to help organize Focus the Nation (focusthenation.org) that will take place within the Chico community January 31, 2008. If you are interested in being involved come to BMU 307 every Monday from 4-5. Meetings will occur weekly at this time and location, for more information contact Jillian at jbuckholz@csuchico.edu.

Archived under Opportunities on November 21, 2007

CAVE Alternative Spring Break Program Accepting Applications

Accepting Applications for Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE) Alternative Spring Break program (ASB). The ASB program is about targeting specific needs outside of our community to bring awareness back home.

Washington DC Trip spring ‘08: Volunteers will work with the homeless population at homeless shelters and feeding programs.

National Park Trip spring ‘08: Volunteers will spend one week in California at a National Park restoring wilderness area, maintaining trails, cleaning up sites, repairing campsites, and removing non-native plants.

For more information or to receive an application visit the CAVE office (BMU 309) or visit our web site (898-5817).

Archived under Opportunities on November 21, 2007

President's Budget Forum - Nov. 28

CSU, Chico Budget Forum -President Zingg and staff from the department of Business & Finance will be hosting “Institutional Financing 101” at 3pm on Wed., Nov. 28, in PAC 144 (Harlen Adams theatre). This budget forum will serve as an important step to provide enhanced fiscal information to enable faculty, staff, students and other interested parties to achieve a deeper understanding of the University’s budget and related processes.

A web site has been created to help inform those interested on definitions of our funds, financial terminology, 07/08 budget information as well as data on challenges with the 08/09 State and CSU budget.

For more information, contact Stacie Corona, Director - Budget Analysis & Research at 898-5931.

Archived under Information on November 21, 2007

Basket Weaving Workshop, Nov. 27

In celebration on National American Indian Heritage Month, a Basket Weaving Workshop will take place on Tues., Nov. 27 at 5:30pm at Selvester’s Café by the Creek. Ali Knight will be our Basket Weaver.

Ali Knight, a novice weaver passionate about reviving the basketry skills, designs, and art of the Mechoopda style, is now the teacher of the twining method for Tribal members. She continues to learn and will begin training on the more decorative and coil-style to weave gift baskets, waterproof cooking baskets, and gathering and hopper baskets. She will demonstrate the twining method using willow sticks to form a utilitarian or “throw away” basket, the grasshopper basket. Typically, while “in the field” for the purpose of capturing birds, fish, and/or grasshoppers, these baskets could be made quickly and used until they fell apart. Ali will discuss the history of basket weaving and also teach you how to weave your own basket.
Contact Tray Robinson (898-4764) for more information.

Archived under Events on November 21, 2007

Student Computing Workshops

Student Computing is presenting these workshops next week:

Photoshop I
Tues., Nov. 27
5pm - 6pm in MLIB 457

Photoshop I
Wed., Nov. 28
5pm - 6pm in MLIB 457

No Sign-up is required. For more information on this and other Student Computing workshops, visit the web site or call or write to Melinda Ferris, 898-5008.

Archived under Information on November 21, 2007

News Release: Civil Engineering Students Win Small Wood Structure Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 16, 2007
CONTACT: Joe Wills
Tel: 530-898-4143

Civil Engineering Students Win Small Wood Structure Competition

California State University, Chico’s Department of Civil Engineering hosted a small wood structure design competition with University of Pacific Nov. 10 to test student groups’ abilities to design, test and construct wood truss structures.

The competition, sponsored by the Structural Engineers Association of Central California, resulted in a win by the CSU, Chico student team and a $1,000 award from the association to the CSU, Chico civil engineering program.

Students were required to design and construct 8-inch by 2-inch wood trusses to which weight was added until the structures failed. Student teams were awarded points based on their ability to predict how and when the structures would fail, and present their results to a group of civil engineers.

The complete news release is available online.

Archived under News on November 21, 2007