A Publication for the faculty, staff, administrators and friends of California State University, Chico
December 9, 2004 Volume 35, Number 4

Briefly Noted

Course on Altruism Wins National Award

“What Motivates Altruism,” a course developed and taught by Andrew Flescher, Religious Studies, and Daniel Worthen, Psychology, was recognized as one of the top ethics courses in the country by the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love (IRUL). The IRUL is based at Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio; bioethicist Stephen Post is president of the institute. More than 70 applications were reviewed; 11 were chosen for top honors. “What Motivates Altruism” is a 6-unit psychology/religious studies honors capstone course that focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach to analyzing what accounts for selfless human behavior.

New Name for College of ECT

Beginning in January, the new name for the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology will be the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management; the designation will be the College of ECC. According to Dean Ken Derucher, the composition of the college has changed significantly since it was formed. Today, the college has programs in engineering, computer science (including computer graphics), and construction management. The name change reflects the department names and recognizes the primary disciplines within the college. “Our majors in engineering represent approximately 45 percent of the FTES [full-time enrolled students], computer science represents approximately 27 percent of the FTES, and construction management represents approximately 28 percent of the FTES,” says Derucher.

Staff Elected to Public Office

In November’s election, Ann Schwab, assistant director of CAVE, was elected to the Chico City Council. Schwab has worked at CAVE since 1999. She also serves as chair of the University Staff Council. Yvette Zuniga, Bell Memorial Union services coordinator, was elected to the Corning City Council. She is the youngest person (26) ever elected to the council, as well as the first Latina. Zuniga grew up in a migrant farm-working family, and has lived in Corning since she was 12 years old.

Turner Museum on the Move

The Janet Turner Print Museum will be moving from Laxson Auditorium to the old municipal building in downtown Chico. A fundraiser to support the move, organized by the museum’s board of directors, raised $4,000. The event was held Oct. 23 in the Performing Arts Center. Ron Sanford, an internationally known photographer from Gridley, presented and discussed his work, including images from Ireland and Alaska, and photographs published in several well-known magazines, such as National Geographic, Time, and Architectural Digest.