SOU Announces Articulation Agreement

On Tuesday, December 8th, President Cullinan signed an articulation agreement with Blaine Nisson, president of Umpqua Community College. The agreement is designed to offer transfer students from Umpqua a seamless transition to SOU. This is the fifth articulation that SOU has signed with Umpqua Community College, and it's meant to enable music majors to take certain classes that will be automatically accepted at SOU after transfer in their junior year. Southern Oregon University has a total of six schools with whom they have signed articulation agreements. The benefits to students are two-fold: convenience and confidence. The program enables them to see exactly which classes they need for their chosen major, and also gives them the confidence to know those particular credits will transfer with no complications. The number of transfer students at SOU is at it's highest peak in seven years, pointing to the trend of students starting at community colleges and then transferring to four-year universities like SOU.

SOU Student Makes Art Show Debut

Addi Black, a senior at Southern Oregon University, debuted her "Africa" collection of painting at the Good Bean in Jacksonville on November 20, 2009. Black's love for painting stemmed from her personal trip to Africa, and now she donates the proceeds from her paintings to AIDS relief. Her collection of paintings, including "The Colors of Uganda" and "The 8 Stages of Genocide", are moving and poignant. They will be available for sale and for viewing at the Good Bean Coffee shop in Jacksonville until the end of the month.

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In Step with Students: Josh Blesse

"My name is Josh Blesse, I am 21 and a Business Management major. I chose SOU because the business program is really good and it seemed like a good choice. I like the faculty here, and they all seem very open to helping me and listening to me. I grew up in Medford, and went to North Medford High School, so SOU was an easy choice. I want to go into business after graduation, but I am not sure where that will lead me".

In Step with Students: Tony Kupsick and Mark Oliver

"I'm Tony Kupsick, and I am 22 years old. I chose SOU because of the theatre program, since I am a theatre major. I also chose SOU because it was far enough from home (Portland), but still in state, so I paid in-state tuition."

"I'm Mark Oliver, I'm a freshman, and a theatre major, and I chose SOU for the location, the theatre program and because it's just a great learning environment. I really love it here!"

SOU Celebrates Make A Difference Day 2009

On October 23rd, 2009, about sixty students gathered in front of the student union to be assigned to service projects in the community. There were five places students were able to donate their time to, including Lithia Park, the Community Garden, the Gleaning Network, Emigrant Lake, and Habitat for Humanity. Students worked from 1-5 at their selected site, doing things such as clearing trails at the lake and distributing food to the needy. Below are photos of students helping to winterize the ECOS community garden on campus.

In Step with Students: Misty Munoz

It's a sunny Thursday here on campus, and most students are in class or enjoying the crisp fall weather. But SOU junior Misty Munoz has a different goal in mind: raising awareness on her campus by speaking to students outside the student union. As students pass the enthusiastic spokesperson, they either stop and listen, or completely ignore her. Undaunted, Misty keeps smiling, determined to bring a new level of awareness to her cause.

"I am a junior, and am majoring in environmental studies," says Misty, "I am a part of ECOS, which is ecology center of the siskiyous. It is located in the downstairs of the student union. We do a lot of environmental events. Our big event right now is called '350', which is a climate action event. Ashland is one of 4000 communities which have gotten together globally. We will be taking pictures and films of the events, and display them to world leaders when they convene in Copenhagen in December, so they can see the faces of the people who care. It's basically an organization of people like you and me who are asking world leaders to lower our carbon footprint from 390 to 350 parts per million."

When asked why she chose SOU, she responds, "I chose SOU because its 'green', and the president of the university has signed a commitment to be sustainable, and we are a really good leader in our community. Every year, things are being switched over on campus to more green technology, and for that reason i support the campus by being a student here!"

You can learn more about environmental studies at SOU here, or learn more about the 350 movement by clicking here.

United Nations Club Hosts International Potluck

In celebration of United Nations Week 2009, the SOU UN club is hosting a series of events for students. During October 19-October 24, 2009, the club invites students to join them for movies, meals and intellectual lectures on topics related to international issues. Highlights include a keynote address from Dr. Peter Jackson, Ph.D., entitled "How United is the United Nations?", as well as films such as Ghosts of Rwanda, The Lemon Tree, and For the Love of Water.

Below are photos of the potluck, hosted in the Guanajuato Room at the University, on October 22, 2009.

SOU/OHSU Ashland Students Administer Flu Shots on Campus

Students from the OHSU School of Nursing at SOU helped administer influenza vaccinations today at the Student Health and Wellness Center. Students were giving the regular flu vaccine, as well as nasal-spray vaccinations for the H1N1 strain.

"Keep Out" Exhibit by Gregory Martin on Display in the Student Union

Music Collection Arrives at the Schneider Museum

Harmonie Universelle, the latest exhibit at the Schneider Museum of Art (housed on Southern Oregon University's campus), has arrived for fall 2009. Assembled by Jack Schuman (pictured above), who started the collection in 1952, the exhibit comprises more than 700 instruments from around the world. In addition, the museum will host two concerts featuring the unique collection on November 5 and December 3.

Clavicord, circa 1760

Viola from Salzburg, circa 1711

Visitors enjoying the exhibit

Jack Schuman discussing his rare flute.