OCTOBER 2008 NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Nowadays, when I’m in the busy hallway outside my classroom in Bellamy, I speak to any student who walks by. Not because I’m especially friendly or because I recognize their faces, but because I assume they are in my 196-member class nearby. It wasn’t always this way. I am bad with names but at least I used to know the faces of my students. Not much anymore. No names, no faces—a clear result of large classes at Florida State University. Clearly there have long been large classes at FSU and other state institutions—classes assisted by teaching assistants, many of whom conduct their own small seminars once a week to discuss the topics covered in the lecture. But in my class there are no TAs, no smaller meetings. And the classes are getting larger. Last fall when I taught American Government I had 145 students. It jumped by 50 students for no reason other than more students, fewer faculty. What does this have to do with Faculty and Friends? Plenty, I think. The evidence is overwhelming that the State of Florida is under funding its universities. In 2006, state and local governments in Florida spent $193 per capita—well below the national average of $260. Ironically, the situation got worse instead of better during the “flush” days of 2003-2005. In 2002-2003 university funding was 9.3 percent of the state budget. By 2004-2005 it had fallen to just 7.9 percent (against a national average of 10.6 percent). Since that time the universities in the state have taken further cuts in their budgets. Strangely, the legislature and governor seem oblivious to these concerns. Even the Board of Governors does not understand what a quality education should be—opting for access as its primary directive. I believe that members of The Faculty and Friends Club of FSU have a vested interest in the welfare of Florida’s universities—especially FSU. We should talk to our elected officials, especially in an election year, about our concerns about funding higher education. Higher education is continuing to take major cuts in the current year’s budget—and likely will continue to do so until the state’s economy rights itself. But if past is prologue, even when this occurs, higher education will not be the beneficiary. We know what quality higher education is and why it’s important to the economic and civic well-being of the state. We know the impact of large classes and fewer teaching assistants. We know what FSU can be with appropriate funding. If we don’t share those messages, our university, and importantly, the university for our children and grandchildren, will continue to be adversely affected. Let’s use our influence to let others know what we think. Talk to your legislators and others who wield influence in our capital. We can help!
Carol Weissert Family
Celebrate Halloween with Beth & Neil Charness
Friday, October 31 — 6:30 p.m. until …..
Join us for a festive and fun-filled evening at the home of Beth & Neil Charness at 1325 Peacefield Place off Thomasville Road near Woodgate. Beth will provide a turkey, and she asks that you bring an appetizer, salad, vegetable, dessert or other goodies. Beverages (wine, beer and soft drinks) will be provided by the Club. We encourage you to come dressed in costume to add zest to this fun evening. Please call Beth Charness at 385-0500 or e-mail her at beth_Charness@hotmail.com to let her know if you plan to attend and what you plan to bring. Although there is no absolute deadline, please let Beth know by Tuesday, October 28, for planning purposes and to give Beth and her committee a general idea of how many people to expect.
The University Club Scholarship Fund
Having received several names of highly qualified and deserving part-time students, we have deviated from the norm of usually supporting full-time, undergraduate students thirty years of age or older and have voted to award both full scholarships @ $500 and some partial scholarships. Three of the four recipients attended the wonderful Welcoming Reception on September 5. We hope you got to meet them. They are all extremely grateful for the financial assistance. I am attaching a photo above of Diane Olsen with Andrea White, a repeat recipient. We thank all of you for making these scholarships available and hope you will continue to donate to this worthy endeavor. If you plan to add to the scholarship fund, please send donations to Calvin Zongker, 601 Live Oak Plantation Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312.
April Card – senior – Humanities & English Literature
Jason Kitchen – senior – majoring in Mechanical Engineering Jeffrey Martin – senior – majoring in Physical Education Andrea White – senior – majoring in Human Resources and Business Management
Interest Groups information
Book Discussion Group
Monday, October 20 – 7:30 p.m.
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Host: Bonnie Armstrong – 893-6141
Discussion leader: Judy Goldman
A classic of an earlier China – timely because of recent Chinese emergence into the modern world. This 1932 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is still a standout today. Deceptive in its simplicity, it is a story built around a flawed human being and a teetering socio-economic system, as well as one that is layered with profound themes. It is an epic drama of Wang Lung, spanning four generations during late nineteenth and early twentieth century China. It is all about land, its bounty, its sustenance, and above all, its purity, which no one can ever destroy.
Monday, November 17 – 7:30 p.m.
Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan
Call Bonnie Armstrong 893-6141 or Diane Olsen 386-5797.
Please send your book suggestions for the coming year to Bonnie Armstrong at bonniearmstrong@comcast.net or to Diane Olsen olsend@dor.state.fl.us to be voted on at the potluck on Dec. 8.
Globetrotters
Saturday, October 11 – 8:00 p.m. – Westminster Oaks
We are off and “touring” for our 35th year and look forward to another great series of sharing travel experiences!
Jack Brigham and Barbara Wilson will share their Cruising Around a Continent: South America from Chile to Argentina.
Saturday, November 1 – 8:00 p.m. – Westminster Oaks
Right in our own Back Yard by Barbara & John Elam
Please Contact Diane Olsen at olsend@dor.state.fl.us or at 386-5797 or Jane Waggaman at 576-8427.
Gourmet Sampler
Saturday, October 18 – 6:30 p.m.
At the home of Barbara & Peter Cottrell
Please bring either an hors d’oeuvre or dessert to share and contact Beth Charness at beth_Charness@hotmail.com or at 385-0500 to let her know if you are planning to come and what you are planning to bring. Former members, look for an E-vite from Beth
Investment Club
This group meets the first Tuesday of each month – October 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. They have a few openings. If interested contact Bill Claggett at wjclaggett@fsu.edu.
La Mesa Española
This new interest group is off and running. Contact Jo Stepp-Greany for more information at 383-3970 or jstepp@fsu.edu.
La Table Française
Friday, November 7 – 7:30 p.m. at the home of Jo Stepp-Greany. Please contact Jo at jstepp@fsu.edu or at 383-3970 or Annelise Leysieffer at 893-1272 or at aleysieffer@gmail.com.
During 2008-2009, the PUC Lecture Series will be exploring Unity in Diversity: An Academic Community Reflects on Environmental Ethics. On Tuesday, October 14 at 12:15 p.m., Dr. Frederick R. Davis will present his Perspective from History.
RSVP to 222-6320 with the $8.75 payable at the door.
For more information contact Bob Spivey at 894-5242.
Lunch Bunch usually meets the second Tuesday of each month
Tuesday, October 14 – 11:45 a.m.
Steel City Saloon – 515 John Knox Road
Call Denise Ellingson at 907-9992 to attend.
Outdoors Explorers
The first event will be a visit to Bald Point State Park starting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 12. The group will spend time exploring the tidal marsh and beach-front areas of the park under the guidance of a park ranger. All are invited to convene after the outing for food and beverages at Hook Wreck Henry’s in Panacea. To reach Bald Point, take Highway 98 to the Alligator Point turn-off (road #370). Just before reaching the beach at Alligator Point, turn left on Bald Point Road and proceed to the parking area just before the road ends. You will be asked to pay an entry fee of $3 on the way in. Please let Barbara Elam know ASAP at ble@neuro.fsu.edu or call her at 385-9856 to let her know if you are going to attend for planning as well as for car pooling purposes.
Restaurant Roulette
is in the process of reorganizing. Contact Tracy Higgins at tracyhiggins17@yahoo.com or tah06e@fsu.edu to help her out.
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
Meets the third Friday – Friday, October 17 – 7:30 p.m.
At the home of Anneliese & Robert Doherty
Contact Bettina Téson at s.pre.chensiedeutsch@hotmail.com or at 385-2092 for information about upcoming programs.
Stitch & Chat
Tuesday, October 14 – 7:30 p.m. at the home of Cherie Fenstermaker. Contact Cherie at 386-1000.
Fernando Tesón would like you to know about his musical group Tango Sur which performs every Tuesday night outside at Chez Pierre from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Come listen and dance to the music.
The club membership is now at 100 – far below previous years at this time. To all who attend monthly events and interest group meetings, we urge you to renew your memberships for this academic year and to consider adding a donation to our scholarship fund. Please continue to forward changes to Fred Leysieffer to fleysieffer@fsu.edu and send newsletter information to Annelise Leysieffer to aleysieffer@gmail.com
MEMBERSHIP DUES $20/$15 per household
Please fill out the form provided below and mail it together with your check made out to The Faculty & Friends Club of FSU to Calvin Zongker, 601 Live Oak Plantation Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312-2334.
Name(s): _________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________
Zip: ___________Home Phone: ______________________
E-mail address(es): ________________________________
Department(s): ____________________________________
(Please indicate department(s), if retired, or if you are a friend)
Membership Dues per address: $20($15 for retirees): $______
Voluntary Contribution to Scholarship Fund: $______
Total Amount enclosed: $______