Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies
Graduate Student Newsletter
Fall 2003

 August 26, 2003

Dear Graduate Student:

Welcome back to SFSU and the fall semester! And a special welcome to all our new graduate students Bradley Lea, Stephen Chun, Anne Gillard, Emily Goodwin, Leslie Harris, Ashley Howe, Yi-Jen Hsu, Elizabeth James, Terrance Lewis, Yu-Chin Liu, Drew McAdams, Cindy Shafferly, Tim Davis and any others who may have been admitted late. I hope you all had a good summer.

I want to let you know that I am the grad program coordinator and feel free to contact me for graduate requirements, questions, or to say hello via phone (415) 338-1818 or by email ptierney@sfsu.edu or in my office HSS 309. You should see your advisor for career and scheduling questions.

If you have not done so already, be sure to look at the revised RLS Grad Student website, http://www.sfsu.edu/~recdept/html/gradhm.htm, for news, deadlines, research opportunities and more.

Don't miss the chance to present and/or attend the Social Aspects and Recreation Research Symposium (SARR) held at the Presidio and at SFSU on Feb. 4-6, 2004. See www.rfl.psw.fs.us/recreation/sarr2004.html. We need volunteers to help and this is a great chance to make a presentation (submittal deadline is Oct 1).

This welcome back letter contains important information for you to note and write down in your over-flowing appointment book and department news. The SFSU dates can also be found in the University Bulletin, Fall course schedule, or on-line at http://www.sfsu.edu. Remember, it's your responsibility to know these dates and follow-up on them as needed.

As in the past, the primary means of communicating from the department to graduate students about news, deadlines and job opportunities is via email and through the Department website. So it absolutely important that you obtain an email account (they are free at SFSU, but your email does not need to be through SFSU) and check it regularly. Make sure we have your most up-to-date email address and snail mail address by emailing the department at benes@sfsu.edu and myself (ptierney@sfsu.edu). This email policy doesn't mean we won't call you or are impersonal, but we are in line with the internet being the dominant form of information transfer in the workplace today.

Patrick Tierney
Graduate Program Coordinator

UPCOMING GRADUATE STUDENT EVENTS AND DEADLINES

Sep 4 Comprehensive Exam Orientation, 5:30-7pm in Gym 117. Mandatory for those taking Fall 2003 exam. RSVP (415) 338-1818 or ptierney@sfsu.edu by 9/13, 5 p.m

Sep. 11 New Graduate Student Orientation. 5:30-7pm in Gym 117. Mandatory for all new grad students and anyone else who have not had the orientation. Extensive resource packet. RSVP (415) 338-1818 or ptierney@sfsu.edu by 9/6, 5 p.m.

Sep. 23 Intern Orientation. 7-8pm in Gym 115. Mandatory for those graduate students planning to do an internship in spring 2004. Held in first half of REC 500.

Oct. 1 Deadline for SARR Presentation Submittals. Send one or two page abstract to Dr. Tierney. This is a great chance to gain experience and boost the resume.

Oct 27 Comprehensive Exam. 5-8pm in Gym 117. Too late to sign-up for fall.

UNIVERSITY/RLS DEPT. DEADLINES AND EVENTS

Sep. 12 Last day to add

Sep. 13 Deadline for preliminary verbal notification of intent to take fall comps, to Dr. Tierney. Written notice due by 9/30.

Sep. 24 Last day to drop courses

Oct. 3 Last day for graduate students to file application for degree for Jan. 6, 2003 graduation

Nov. 1 Last day for graduate students planning to earn degree in Spring 2003 to file Graduate Approved Program (GAP) and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement. Forms in the Graduate Division Office

Nov. 14 Last day to file application for admittance to SFSU Graduate School in order to be admitted for Spring 2003. Contact RLS Department (415) 338-2030 or Dr. Tierney (ptierney@sfsu.edu).

Nov. 27-29 Thanksgiving recess

Dec 3 Program advising (get some)

Dec. 11 Last day to file approved thesis and/or Report of Completion of Culminating Experience Requirement. Forms in the Graduate Division office.

Dec. 12, 15-19 Final Examinations

FACULTY AND DEPARTMENT NEWS

Dr. Ginny Jaquith announced that she was stepping down as chair in June and has started a Faculty Early Retirement Program (FIRP) this fall. She will be teaching during the spring semester only. Thanks to Ginny for all her terrific leadership as chair and mentor to so many students! She was last seen hitting a little white ball on long green fairways near Angels Camp and sipping a cold drink on the patio of her new home. Best wishes Ginny, and see you in spring.

After an extensive national search the department selected Dr. Jim Murphy to be our new department chair. Jim is no stranger to the RLS, have taught in the department for a number of years and served as chair until 1993. He is a well-known scholar and you have probably read his books and articles in REC 730. We are indeed fortunate to have such as talented and caring individual as chair. Stop in and introduce yourself to him (HSS 307), call 338-1531 or email him at jfmurphy@sfsu.edu.

Dr. Erik Rosegard taught a number of classes this summer and loved it! His little one is growing quickly and he's a proud dad. If you haven't meet him, you'll find he brings strong teaching skills and expertise in American Humanics, youth, community and outdoor recreation, as well as research. He looks forward to meeting all grad students. Erik's office is HSS 311, phone 405-0911 and email rosegard@sfsu.edu.

Dr. Bill Michaelis is back teaching this fall as part of his FERP. We extends an invitation to all
grad students to contact him any time via phone 338-7576 or stop in HSS 308.

Dr. Deah Schwartz is still recovering from back problems and will not be able to teach this semester. As you may know she was injured 4 semesters ago and had to drop her teaching load. We all wish her the best!

We are pleased to announce that Laura Rifkin will be coming back again. Over the summer Laura busy consulting in therapeutic recreation.

Dr. Don Taylor is back teaching with us (REC 300) but only part time. He continues to be a great friend of the department in his role as Associate Dean of CHHS. You'll see him running madly between meetings, so stop him and say hello. We hope to get him full time next year.

Dr. Patrick Tierney is writing a book on the historical and bio-physical significance of fifty years without the Echo Park dam that was proposed in Dinosaur National Monument. . He has been invited and will be presenting at the Nov 9-11 Resort and Commercial Recreation conference in Oregon. Pat's rafting business had another successful summer.

Dr. Rene Dahl continues to be very busy as Coordinator of the Adolescent and Childhood Development Program in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at SFSU. We'll miss her teaching, but she is helping the department by serving on graduate and other committees.

We are please to have back popular part time instructors Loretta Lowe, Bob Flasher, Marcia Sommers and Regina Neu.

RLS DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Contact the following faculty and staff to find out more about various program offerings and department-sponsored projects.

" RLS is looking for graduate teaching assistants to help grade papers and course instructors. If interested, call Dr. Tierney, 338-1818.

" Interested in being involved in helping with the new RLS Tall Ships Program for women? Contact Nettie Kelly, nkelly23@sfsu.edu.

" If you're interested in obtaining a certificate in Youth and Human Services Nonprofit Administration, see Dr. Eric Rosegard, HSS 311, 338-0911, rosegard@sfsu.edu.

" If you're interested in recreation therapy as a specialized area of study and career, see Laura Rifkin (338-2030).

" Clarification - only classified graduate students (do not need to take pre-requisites) can take 800 level classes, such as REC 850.

* Dr. Patrick Tierney coordinates and teaches the commercial recreation tourism and resort management areas of our department. (HSS309; Phone: 338-1818; email: ptierney@sfsu.edu )

* Outdoor/adventure types will want to see Dr. Erik Rosegard (HSS 311; Phone: 405-0911; email: rosegard@sfsu.edu) and Dr. Don Taylor (405-3533).

* If interested in Adolescent and Childhood Development issues and classes, see Dr. Rene Dahl, (Phone: 338-7575; email: rdahl@sfsu.edu)

* Anyone interested in program evaluation projects should see Dr. Rene Dahl (Phone: 338-7575; email: rdahl@sfsu.edu) or Dr. Patrick Tierney. There is research project work available.

* Contact Edwin Tse (HHS 254; Phone: 338-2047) if you're interested in teambuilding programs with Pacific Leadership Institute.

" See Drew McAdams (HHS 254; Phone: 338-6883; email: ezra@sfsu.edu ) if you're interested in the Ft. Miley Ropes Course training.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

* Department graduate faculty are: Dr. Rene F. Dahl, Dr. Ginny Jaquith, Dr. Bill Michaelis, Dr. James Murphy, Dr. Erik Rosegard, Dr. Patrick Tierney.

* Continuing graduate students must file an approved Graduate Approved Plan (GAP) at least two semesters before they plan to graduate.

* Update your address, phone number (work and home), email address or web site. Give the information to Barbara Enes in the department office, Gym 207 (Phone: 338-2030; email: benes@sfsu.edu) If we don't have current information, we can't contact you, nor can you receive information that is pertinent to graduate school… but you are still responsible for it. Email is the primary means by which we will contact you.

* New students must take the Graduate Essay Test (GET) before beginning their 2nd semester in the program. The exams are ONLY GIVEN in January and August and you must register several months in advance at the university Testing Center. New students who do not take the test will not be allowed to continue in the program until this requirement is completed. If you take the GET and do not pass it, you must take either BUS 514 or EDUC 615 (you can NOT take ENG 414).

* You must complete any prerequisite conditions (as outlined on your dept. acceptance letter and university form) before you can become a classified graduate student. See your advisor.

* As soon as you complete 12 units of courses that qualify for the GAP, you must meet with your advisor to develop and file a completed plan.

* Use your 699/899 Special Study units to maximum educational benefit. You are allowed 6 units on your GAP. Good possibilities for a Special Study course: special project or research paper or an in-depth examination of a specialty area. You must have advisor pre-approval and a completed/signed contract before signing up for Special Study courses.

* If you are thinking about writing a thesis, talk to your advisor. You most likely will need to take a statistics course. You and your advisor can determine the most appropriate type of culminating degree requirement for you, based on your professional interests, grade point average, and ability to work independently. Remember, the thesis is NOT a fallback option for those who don't think they can pass
the comprehensive exam - or for those who have failed the exam.

* Get to know the department faculty and their research interests. You might stumble upon an opportunity to work as a research assistant or a teaching assistant. Faculty consistently get funding for grants, projects, and consulting work and may need skillful, responsible assistance from YOU … or they may know a professional who has job openings!

* See RLS policies on the comprehensive examination, the computer competency requirement, and the statistics requirement for the thesis option listed on the RLS Graduate Program webpage.

We hope you take advantage of this graduate school experience to stretch yourself, both intellectually and professionally. We are pleased to be working with you and look forward to continuing adventures in learning.

On behalf of the graduate faculty,

Patrick Tierney, Ph.D.
Professor and Graduate Coordinator