UFO Events

Below are descriptions of this year's UFO events, as well as UFO events from past academic years. Click the links for handouts and powerpoints used in presentations, and flyers with event descriptions. Events are listed beginning with the most recent.

Academic Year 2011-2012

"Engaged Teaching through Role Playing." Presented By J. Daniel Herring (Theatre Arts) and W. Gregory Thatcher (Public Health). Come join the UFO as we host this special encore teaching effectiveness presentation. Students can become more actively involved in the learning process when instruction is learner-centered and not teacher-driven. Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 12:00 noon, Library3212.

"Faculty and Student Research Panel." hosted by Brad Hyatt (Lyles College of Engineering).

Come join us in as several colleagues present how they engage both graduate and undergraduate students in their research projects. Thursday, March 8, 2012, 12:30-1:30, Library3212.

"Integrating Community Service in Professional Development and Teaching." Presented by Chris Fiorentino, Director, Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/cesl/). Thursday, February 23, 2012, 12:15-1:15pm, Library2134, Studio 2. Click here for the event flyer. Click here for the Powerpoint presentation from the talk.

Fresno State Faculty at Poverello House. The Untenured Faculty Organization (UFO) presents a faculty opportunity to engage our community. We are looking for faculty (and family) volunteers to help serve meals. If you are interested in giving back to our community in this rewarding experience, please RSVP to UFOc/o Jason Bush (jbush@csufresno.edu) OR Klaus Tenbergen (ktenbergen@csufresno.edu). We are limited to 20 spots so first come, first served. Those participating will receive a letter documenting community service credit. Saturday, December 10, 8:00am-1:00pm, at Poverello House (www.poverellohouse.org). Click here for a report with photos from the Fresno State faculty's visit to Poverello House!

UFO Potluck at the home of Associate Provost Ellen Junn. You are invited to a fun and casual UFO potluck to welcome all untenured faculty! With opening remarks from President Welty and Provost Covino. Thursday, October 27, 6-9pm. Please RSVP to receive directions by e-mailing Amanda or María at studentvpaa@csufresno.edu.

"Planning a Successful Sabbatical." Organized by Melanie Ram (Political Science, UFO Research Support Chair). Come hear faculty from across the university speak about their sabbatical experiences and offer tips on how to make your sabbatical successful. Presenters: Jacques Benninga (Chair, Curriculum & Instruction), Sean Fulop (Linguistics), Melissa Jordine (History), and Steve Blumenshine (Biology). Friday, October 7, 2011, 12:00pm, University Student Union 309.

Academic Year 2010-2011

"Meet the Associate Vice-President of Personnel, Dr. Ted Wendt." Come hear and ask questions related to issues important to tenure-track faculty from the perspective of Academic Personnel. Thursday, May 5, 2011, 12:00noon-1:00pm. Library3212.

"Engaged Teaching through Role-Playing." Presented By J. Daniel Herring (Theatre Arts) and W. Gregory Thatcher (Public Health). Students can become more actively involved in the learning process when instruction is student-centered and not teacher-driven. Thursday, April 7, 2011, 1:00pm, Library3212.

"Office of Research and Sponsored Programs: What We Do and How We Do It." Presented by Dr. Gillisann Harootunian, Sponsored Programs Director. Monday, March 28, 2011, 12:00noon, Library3257.

"Untenured Faculty Research Showcase." Untenured faculty present their research. Moderated by Melanie Ram (Political Science, UFO Research Support Chair) Presenters: Yongsheng Gao (Physics), Maria Aparecida Lopes (Chicano and Latin American Studies), Roksana Badruddoja (Women's Studies Program), Sandra Siok Lee (Linguistics) and Allison Cowgill (Reference Department, Library ). Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 1:00-2:30pm, Kremen Education Bldg, Atrium Level, Room 54.

Work-Life Balance on the Tenure Track: Mindful Stress Management". A one-hour interactive seminar with Amanda Mortimer, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Assistant Professor of Psychology. Address your stress level, share tips for emotional survival as junior faculty, and explore how to engage the power of mindfulness techniques in managing your highly committed life. Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 12-1pm, Library4115 (Provost's Boardroom).

"Assessing Student Outcomes at the Student Level." Presented by Andrew Lawson (Plant Science) and Susan Currie Sivek (Mass Communication & Journalism). Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 2:00-3:00pm, Library3212.

Register online at: http://depot.csuprojects.org/registration?campusid=9

Teaching Dialogue Get-together. Organized by Amanda Mortimer (Psychology) and Kris Clarke (Social Work Education). Informal gathering of pre-tenure faculty to discuss teaching issues in a supportive and collegial atmosphere! Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 4:00-6:00pm, Red Wave Inn, 2375 E Shaw Ave. at Maple, behind Sequoia Bookstore. The Teaching Dialogue Get-together is recurring event scheduled for the final Tuesday of each month at 4:00pm at the Red Wave. Today's suggested discussion topic: "How to avoid a mid-semester slump!"

Teaching Dialogue Get-together. Organized by Amanda Mortimer (Psychology) and Kris Clarke (Social Work Education). Informal gathering of pre-tenure faculty to discuss teaching issues in a supportive and collegial atmosphere! Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 4:00-6:00pm, Red Wave Inn, 2375 E Shaw Ave. at Maple, behind Sequoia Bookstore. The Teaching Dialogue Get-together is recurring event scheduled for the final Tuesday of each month at 4:00pm at the Red Wave.

Academic Year 2009-2010

"Service Activities, Tenure, and Beyond." Organized by Srinivasa Konduru (Agricultural Economics). Guest speakers: Michael Botwin (Chair, Psychology) and Amanda Mortimer (Psychology). Tuesday, April 14, 12:05pm, LibraryStudio 2, Rm. 2127.

"Technology Use in the Classroom: A Perspective from Our Students." The UFO presents a panel of 4 students to share their experiences in classrooms and with faculty who use technology in dynamic ways. Students on the panel will share what worked best to support their learning, as well as make recommendations to those faculty in attendance. Tuesday, April 27, 1-2pm, LibraryStudio 2, Rm. 2127.

"UFO Multicultural Research Panel." Come hear some of our tenure-track faculty talk about their research on multicultural issues. Organized by Melanie Ram (Political Science) and Cristina Herrera (Chicano & Latin American Studies). Panel discussants: De Anna J. Reese (History and Africana and American Indian Studies); Bridget Conlon (Sociology); Amanda Mortimer (Psychology). Friday, April 9, 3:15 p.m., UC 202.

"Life on the Tenure-Track: Perspectives on RTP and Achieving Tenure." Guest speaker: Provost William Covino. Thursday, April 8, 2010 11:00-noon, Library2206.

"Workshop on Experiences from the Chairs & Senior Faculty for Pre-tenure Faculty." Organized by N.P. Mahalik (Agricultural Sciences and Technology). Guest speakers: Annette E. Levi (Chair, Agricultural Economics), Charles Arokiasamy (Director of the Center for Disability Innovation), Garo Kalfayan (Chair, Accountancy). Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 1:30PM, Library , Studio 2, Room 2134.

Teaching Dialogue Get-together. Organized by Amanda Mortimer (Psychology) and Kris Clarke (Social Work Education). Informal gathering of pre-tenure faculty to discuss teaching issues in a supportive and collegial atmosphere! Friday, February 26, 2010, 1:30 PM, Red Wave Inn, 2375 E Shaw Ave. at Maple, behind Sequoia Bookstore.

"Creating Engaged Group Discussions." Organized by Marnel Niles (Communication) and J. Daniel Herring (Theatre Arts). Thursday, February 25, 2010, 1:00PM, Library2127.

"Research and Sponsored Programs: Getting Your Proposal Out the door." Organized by Sergio LaPorta (Armenian Studies). Guest speaker: Doug Carey, Grants Administrator. Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 12:00 NOON, LibraryStudio 2.

Panel Discussion: "The Use of Technology to Improve Student Learning." Participants: Mary Bennett (Digital Campus), Jolynne Blake (Digital Campus), Sean Seepersad (Department of Child, Family and Consumer Sciences), Arun Nambiar (Department of Industrial Technology). Wednesday, February, 10, 2010, 12:00 NOON, Studio 2, Room 2134, Library

Teaching Dialogue Get-together. Organized by Amanda Mortimer (Psychology) and Kris Clarke (Social Work Education). Informal gathering of pre-tenure faculty to discuss teaching issues in a supportive and collegial atmosphere! Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 1:30 PM, Red Wave Inn, 2375 E Shaw Ave. at Maple, behind Sequoia Bookstore.

UFO Potluck. Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 3:00PM at the home of Associate Provost Ellen Junn.

UFO Kickoff Event! Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 3:30PM Vintage Room