This fall marked the beginning of a new expanded academic alert program called Early Alert. This program allows faculty to refer students who are performing poorly in class, who are disruptive or exhibit concerning behavior or who are not attending class frequently enough that they are in danger of failing.
When faculty refer a student to Early Alert, a referral is then sent to an Early Intervention Coordinator who directs follow up from key resources such as the Academic Assistance Resource Center, Counseling Services, Career Services or the Academic Advisor in the student’s college or school. In the case of students exhibiting concerning behavior, the case may be referred to the Behavioral Intervention Team. In all cases, the Early Alert program follows up with faculty to let them know what action has been taken. This new program is a very important element of our student-retention and behavioral intervention and strategies.
To refer a student, fill out the online form or send an e-mail to EarlyAlert@sfasu.edu.
Initial reports indicate that Early Alert had a positive impact on the retention rate of students who were referred to the program. The early success of this new program would not have been possible without the efforts that were made by departments, faculty and staff members across campus to utilize the Early Alert Program and assist students in need of services. In an attempt to further increase the efficiency of the program for the Spring 2010 semester, please consider the following guidelines when referring students to Early Alert:
- If a student is in danger of failing a course due to excessive absences, consider referring the student to the Early Alert program before the final drop date.
- If an instructor has a SI group in the AARC, students who perform poorly on their first exam could be referred directly to the AARC by the instructor.
- A significant change in behavior could be indicative of a larger issue, even if the number of absences or academic performance alone are not sufficiently concerning.
If you have any questions about the program, contact Whitney Denney, early intervention coordinator, at (936) 468-2703 or via e-mail at denneywk@sfasu.edu. |
 More than 700 student-athletes have been named to the Southland Conference Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll. Seven of the conference's member schools saw at least 60 of their student-athletes named to the list. Of the 739 student-athletes honored, 100 boast a 4.0 grade-point average. The conference saw an improvement of 140 student-athletes from the 2008 fall honor roll to 2009. SFA saw its fall honor roll selections increase by 15 from fall 2008 to lead the Southland with 81 honorees, including a league-best 18 student-athletes with a 4.0 GPA. Highlighting the list of academic honorees are football co-defensive player of the year Tim Knicky with a 3.3 GPA in kinesiology and soccer freshman of the year Kylie Louw with a 3.4 GPA in general studies. Read more of the story.
 Student Activities Association is showing "Couple's Retreat" and "Zombieland" Thursday, Friday and Sunday in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Movie Theater, 2nd floor. All of our showings will be for the low cost of $1 for SFA students, $2 for faculty/staff and $3 for the community! Children under 5-years-old get in free!! We have the cheapest movie concessions in town with 75¢ popcorn, candy and drinks! Also, SAA offers a concession combination package: one drink, one popcorn and one candy all for $2! Drink and popcorn refills are always free throughout the movie. For more information on the SAA Movies, please call our Movie Line at (936)468-6554.
Movie Series Line Up:
January 28, 29, 31
7 p.m. - "Couple's Retreat" (PG-13)
9:15 p.m. - "Zombieland" (R)
Early Childhood Research Center Upcoming Workshops • 6 to 7 p.m. • ECRC Room 214 • All workshops are free and open to anyone. • Tuesday, Feb. 16 - Andrew Terranova, Psychology, will present on the topic of Bully Prevention. • Tuesday, March 30 - Larry Cupit, Education, will present on Math Games focusing on ideas, strategies and games using everyday household items to encourage development of mathematical knowledge in children. • Tuesday, April 20 - Kimberly Welsh, Education, wil present a workshop on Supporting Your Reader in the Home.
 The 4th Annual East Texas Geospatial Conference will be held in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Jan. 26 through 30. A highlight of the conference will be a display of globes depicting the earth and hemispheres of Mars developed from satellite imagery by Todd Ullrich, realworldfx.com. One of the globes will be a 16-foot diameter globe that is lighted from the inside. The globes will be on display in the Grand Ballroom. Students can visit the displays on Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m. and on Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. Students are encouraged to sit in on technical sessions at the conference at no charge. If you would like more information about the conference, please visit crgsc.org or contact Darrell McDonald at dmcdonald@sfasu.edu.
Enroll Now! The Employee Wellness Connection (EWC) Spring 2010 program offerings will begin Monday, Jan. 25th. Program offerings include instructor-conducted Water Aerobics, Aqua-Fit and Pump You Up!, Noonball Basketball and special programs to include the annual Walk Across Texas, Dance for the Health Of It and Stress Reduction at the Planetarium. Enrollment is limited. All full-time and part-time faculty, staff and administrators are eligible to participate at no cost. For more information or to enroll please contact the EWC office at 468-1680 or Juanita at jfinkenberg@sfasu.edu.
The SFA Alumni Association will be tailgating before the Feb. 20 Ladyjack Basketball game against Southeastern Louisiana. Please contact the Alumni Center at (936) 468-3407 for more information.
Ask a Question, Save a Life, Learn QPR • The SFA Counseling Center is offering several suicide intervention training sessions throughout the semester for faculty, staff and students. In less than two hours, you can learn helpful information on how to intervene and safe a life. The first training session for Spring 2010 is Monday, Feb. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. Seating is limited so register by calling (936) 468-2401. The trainings are located in the Counseling Center on the third floor of the Rusk Building.
Faculty and staff are invited to attend the Department of Student Affairs’ Community Partners Breakfast starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center’s Twilight Ballroom. The event is open to the campus community as well as representatives from community agencies that are looking for student volunteers. It is an easy way to find out about areas of need in Nacogdoches and is often a great way to establish partnerships for service learning projects. Information will also be available about applying for service learning grants for the Fall 2010 semester. RSVP to Jamie Bouldin, Assistant Director for Student Life, at jfbouldin@sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-1088.
Volunteers needed! Help recruit students to SFA by volunteering for “Showcase Saturday." Saturday, Feb. 20, is the big day. Volunteers are needed from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please e-mail Monique Cossich at cossichm@sfasu.edu if you are interested. This is not work – it is fun!
Save the date! SFA’s Bright Ideas Conference, spotlighting faculty research, scholarship and artistry, has been scheduled for Thursday, April 8. Check with your dean’s office about specific submission guidelines for your college. If you have questions, contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at (936) 468-6606 or e-mail smcdaniel@sfasu.edu. |
 Liverpool Legends, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, in W.M. Turner Auditorium, Griffith Fine Arts Building. In this “Ultimate Beatles Tribute Show,” Liverpool Legends perform songs spanning the entire career of the Fab Four. With precise attention to detail, the lads make you feel like you’re watching the real thing!
Limited ticket quantities! SFA faculty and staff are eligible for two half-price tickets in sections B and C ($14.50 and $8.50).
Visit www.liverpoollegends.com to learn more about this award-winning group! |
Wednesday, Jan. 27
Nate the Great • 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m., W.M. Turner Auditorium, Griffith Fine Arts Building, as part of the College of Fine Arts’ Children’s Performing Arts Series. Target grades: K-4. Tickets: $6 for individuals and $5 per person for groups of 20 or more.
Thursday, Jan. 28
Charles Gavin Faculty Horn Recital • 7:30 p.m., Cole Concert Hall, Wright Music Building. Tickets: $5 adult, $4 senior, $2.50 SFA faculty & staff, $2 student.
Friday, Jan. 29
Paul Christopher Guest Cello Recital • 6 p.m., Cole Concert Hall, Wright Music Building. Admission is free.
Saturday, Jan. 30
Refined VI Opening Reception with gallery talk by juror Lisa Gralnik at 5 p.m. and announcement of winners and reception at 6 p.m. in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, 329 E. Main St. The biennial juried art metals/jewelry competition and exhibition runs through Saturday, March 20. Admission is free. Gallery hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
 Some Enchanted Evening: the Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, School of Music vocal dinner theater 6 p.m., Grand Ballroom, Baker Pattillo Student Center. The program will feature SFA voice and choral faculty members singing songs from musicals such as “The Sound of Music,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I” and “Oklahoma!” Tables can accommodate up to 8 people, and tickets start at $35 per person. For tickets or more information, please call (936) 468-6407. Deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 27.
ONGOING
Home • Griffith Gallery, Room 208 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building. The show, which includes paintings, sculptures and an outdoor installation, explores architectural construction and deconstruction and will run through Saturday, March 13. Gallery hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free.
To purchase tickets, please visit our online ticket box office or call (936) 468-6407. |
Stephen F. Austin State University will increase its admission standards for first-time freshmen beginning with the fall 2012 semester.
Did you know that SFA has a YouTube channel?
